Douglas Now was saddened today to learn of the passing of former Coffee County Schools Superintendent Rev. Dahl McDermitt, Sr. Born in Irwin County, Rev. McDermitt spent a number of years as a pastor and educator in the Coffee County community.
Following is Rev. McDermitt’s obituary, courtesy of Townsend Brothers Funeral Home in Dublin, Georgia:
Rev. Dahl McDermitt, Sr., age 77 of Dublin, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2015.
Services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Marie Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Chauncey Cemetery. Rev. Bobby Hutto, Rev. Wayne Cobb and Rev. Dahl McDermitt, Jr. will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Michael McDermitt, Scott McDermitt Jr., Mark McDermitt, Stacey Stewart, Dan Hooks, and Derek Loyd. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Marie Baptist Church, deacons of Union Baptist Church and members of Dahl’s former Young Adult Sunday School class at Union Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at Townsend Brothers Funeral Home, Friday, June 12, 2015, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Survivors include his wife, Patsy L. Stewart McDermitt of Dublin, sons; Dahl McDermitt Jr. (Melissa) and Todd McDermitt (Celena), all of Eastman, GA., Scott McDermitt of Dublin and Brian McDermitt of Savannah; step children, Stacey Stewart of Dublin and Kristie S. Bailey (Brett) of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Michael McDermitt, Mark McDermitt, Ashley McDermitt, Melena McDermitt, Scott McDermitt Jr. and Rebecca Hester; step grandchildren, Kayla Warren and Erika Bailey; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Vicki Jones of Madison, GA and several nieces and nephews.
Rev. McDermitt was born August 19, 1937 in Irwin County, Georgia to the late Hubert and Josie Vickers McDermitt of Wray, GA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his former wife, Delane Chambers McDermitt.
Dahl attended Brewton Parker College, Georgia Southern and Middle Tennessee State. He served as pastor of several local churches in South GA and Dublin. His longest and last pastorate was at Union Baptist Church near Dublin where he served for 19 1/2 years. Under his leadership, the church built a new sanctuary and remodeled the social hall. During his time at Union Baptist he served as pastor and taught the young adult Sunday School class.
His experience in the education field was varied. He served as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent of schools in both Dodge and Coffee Counties. He served his community as mayor of Chauncey, GA where he was very involved in school and recreation sports as both a coach and a referee. Woodmen of the World was also an integral part of his career. He served as a field representative and as an area manager in Dublin, GA. Dahl retired from WOW after 34 year of service.
Dahl was a member of many professional organizations. These included GA Association of Superintendents, American Association of School Administrators, National Association of Education, Coffee Association of Educators, Dodge Association of Educators, National Association of Elementary Principals, GA Association of Elementary Principals (director), Lions Club, Rotary Club, Retired Teachers Association, Fraternal Insurance Counselor (fellow), Regional Education Service Agency (chairman).
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Refuge Recovery Ministries, 424 College Street Eastman, GA 31023.