DAVID WESLEY SEGARS, JR.

SEGARS, JR., DAVID WESLEY Our Father in Heaven has welcomed home a Hero from the generation of Heroes. On November 10, 1924, David Wesley Segars, Jr. was born at home east of Hartselle, Alabama in Morgan County. Dad passed to Glory in the comfort and peace of his home in Hueytown, Alabama on September 5, 2012. Being one of seven children his childhood was filled with hard work and hard play. Laughter and tears were no stranger to David W. Segars. Surviving the Depression, he literally was denied a childhood of play. Instead, he began his diligent work ethic at 8 years of age. Walking dusty country roads selling eggs and Grit newspapers, "Junior" helped provide the needs of his family. He attended the Eva and Vinemont schools. Each year, his education was interrupted by the need to pick the cotton crops. He would laughingly tell the story, "When I got to the 8th grade, they looked and said 'David, you have only been in school long enough to have a 4th grade education. We cannot let you move up". This denial did not deter him from being educated. His love of reading compensated for the lack of formal education. D. W. Segars was the literal "self made man". D. W. Segars was a passionate patriotic man. He attempted to enlist in the Army, but was told to come back in a year when he was old enough. Again a denial, he would not allow to stop him. In 1943, David W. Segars began his "service" to the Army of the United States. He landed on Omaha Beach and saw combat in several other campaigns, including those in Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and central Europe. Dave was a member of Company F 9th Infantry Division. Serving as a Squad Leader, he saw combat from day one. In his words, "We were under constant fire from enemy small arms, field artillery, mortars and bombs from aircraft". Military records reveal Mr. Segars was awarded an American Theater Campaign Medal, four Bronze Stars, a Distinguished Unit Badge, a Good Conduct Medal and a World War II Victory Medal. After the War ended, he returned to the United States where he worked in a German prisoner of War camp in Hereford, Texas. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945 as a acting Master Sergeant. Mr. Segars returned home to Cullman, Alabama. Having "thumbed" from Cullman to Tuscaloosa to achieve a Drafting Degree, Mr. Segars became acquainted with Bessemer and Hueytown. He married Agnes LeNeta Whatley and they moved to Bessemer. They had three children Pam, Becky and Damon. D. W. Segars applied his entrepreneurial spirit and determination to found several businesses. Segars Roofing and Sheet Metal Works, Segars Building Supply, Segars Garden Centers, SeBro Realty and Sundance Marina. The benefits of the long work hours and successful business were invested in Family, Friends and Community. As President of the North Highland Ball Park, D. W. Segars personally used his labor and materials to build the first ball park, stands, press box, concession stand and bathrooms. During his six years as President, the property for the Park was acquired, incorporated and the North Highland Park was built. A man who did not seek glory or recognition for his contributions to civic and charity organizations many were unseen and private. As his daughter was told by many, he would freely give us anything, but he always said, "I will donate this on one condition. Do not tell anyone it came from me". Learning of the loss of our Hero the following has been said: "A Hero from the Era of Heroes", "A Giant in our Community", "A true Southern Gentleman", "A wonderful man", "A man who loved his Country and served his Country proudly", "A handsome cool guy", "An influence in my Life", "He was a get it done the right way man", "A true Treasure", "Precious man of God", "A special man to so many". Mr. Segars is preceded in death by his beloved parents Mother, Zula Grace Segars - Father David Wesley Segars - Brothers, Holland, Gerald, Bernard Carroll "B. C." and Paul Jackson "P. J." Segars and Sister, Beulah Holine Johnson. David W. Segars is survived by his three children, Daughters, Pamela Grace Segars-Morris (Greg) and Rebekah Imelda "Becky" Segars-Blankenship and Son, Damon Gerald Segars; Sister, Lola Geraldine "Dene" Segars-Parsons; Mother of his children, Agnes LeNeta Whatley-Segars; Five Grandchildren - Michael Kelly (Courtney) Reaves, Kari Michelle Morgan (Brian) Brasfield, Jimmie Janay Segars, Damon Gerald "Butch" Segars, Jesslyn Cameron Blankenship; Six Great Grandchildren - Robert Clay Morgan, Michael Cade Morgan, William Trent Brasfield, Caleb Brian Brasfield, Gisele Grace Reaves and August Martin Blankenship; Host of Nieces, Nephews, Family, Friends and a Community who loved him. Visitation will be held Friday, September 7, 2012 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Peoples Chapel Funeral Home. Bro Doug O'Brien will deliver the memorial message. Burial Service will be at Valhalla Cemetery.