25 March 2017 Tribute in Memory of Lt. General David B. Poythress
Published on: 3/27/2017
Lt. Gen. (Ret) David B. Poythress was a great friend and supporter to the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc. He passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2017.
BG Joe Jarrard shared the following message: It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Georgia’s 39th Adjutant General, Lt. Gen. David Poythress. From 1999 – 2007, Lt. Gen. Poythress oversaw the growth of the Georgia National Guard during one of our country’s most challenging eras. Through 9/11 and into the War on Terror, he ensured our Guardsmen were ready and prepared to face a new enemy in an evolving battlefield. As the TAG, Georgia Secretary of State and Commissioner of Labor, he always served our state with distinction and honor. Lt. Gen. Poythress was 73 years old. We will all miss him dearly, and the leaders who served under him will humbly continue his legacy of service to our Nation.
Through the National Guard Association of Georgia, “Mrs. Elizabeth Poythress asked that we thank you for all the kind words of sympathy and fond remembrances of David. The family will share details of his memorial celebration at a later date.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a gift in his memory to the State YMCA of Georgia (ymcaga.org/donate) or the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation (georgiaguardfamily.org/donate).
In 2005, it was Lt Gen Poythress who met with business leaders, the Governor’s office and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce when they worked together to determine ways to help the members and families of the Georgia National Guard during the first deployment of the 48th Brigade. Lt Gen Poythress mentioned that the Georgia National Guard Foundation, a non-profit 501-C (3) organization established in 1994, was already in place to help military members with financial assistance.
Accepting the challenge, the Georgia Chamber designated the Foundation as the recipient of its major statewide campaign to raise One Million Dollars in 2006. The campaign was led by Mr. David Ratcliffe, President of the Southern Company and the 2005 Chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, as he and others rallied business leaders throughout the state behind the cause.
At the January 2007 Issues and Eggs Breakfast sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the goal of One Million Dollars was recognized as of the end of calendar year 2006. Support from the Southern Companies and many other corporate benchmark organizations and individuals helped reach this important milestone for the Foundation with their significant and ongoing donations and community support.
Pictured here: Lt. Gen. David Poythress and Governor Sonny Perdue, accepted a check for $1,017,107.68 from George Israel, President of the Georgia Chamber, and Mike Worley, Assistance to Vice President, External Affairs of Georgia Power Company on behalf of the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation.
As a result of this donation and many other initiatives and contributions in the past 10 years, the Foundation has been able to provide more than $2.6 million dollars in financial assistance to over 3,000 Guard Members and their families. Lt General Poythress was a wonderful and gracious man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. On behalf of BG Carden and the Board of Directors of the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation, Inc., special thanks and appreciation to the Poythress Family for their generosity and ongoing support to the Foundation.
Saturday, March 25, 2017-a wonderful Celebration of Life Ceremony was held for Lt Gen Poythress at the Dobbins Air Base, Hangar 5, at 4:00 pm with hundreds of guests in attendance. Colors were presented by the Youth Challenge Color Guard. Major General Joseph Jarrard, the Adjutant General of the Georgia National Guard, extended a warm welcome to Mrs Elizabeth Poythress, family and friends, and mentioned some of the contributions and initiatives provided by General Poythress during his career. COL Perry Carter, Mrs Mary Lou Austin and members of the USO Board of Directors also spoke, as well as many others who had a close relationship with Lt. General Poythress. It was a meaningful tribute to man that was loved and admired by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.