Odian David Denard

Mr. Odian David Denard, 69, of Washington, entered into rest Monday morning, December 13, 2021, at his home. Mr. Denard was born December 21, 1951 in Atlanta, GA and grew up in Tampa, FL and moved to Washington, GA in 1968 when his parents began Denard & Moore Construction Co, Inc.He worked summers with his father during junior and high school years.After graduating from Southern Tech in 1974 with a degree in Architectural Engineering Technology, he began full time at Denard & Moore, becoming Vice President.He would go on to build service stations and truck stops thru out the southeast for Union Oil, Amoco, Chevron, Hess, Penske, and others.He was responsible for the construction of Conoco’s first “Break Place”, which was built in Georgia.David served on the board of directors for Georgia Tank and Equipment Construction for several terms. Any one who knew David knew he loved auto racing and Bill Elliott was his man!He came by it honestly as “Papa” was one of the contractors responsible for the fueling centers at Daytona Speedway.David attended the first Daytona Race and was hooked on racing! He had always enjoyed history and knew the history of his family.David enjoyed doing restoration work, so it was nothing out of the ordinary when he became interested in “old” early 1800’s house that needed to be moved in 1992 in Gwinnett County.He and a group of men worked to raise the funds and provided the “sweat equity” to move the house.They went on to found the Eli P. Landers SCV Camp in Lilburn, GA.David would be Commander for over 10 years.He served the Georgia Division SCV as 13th Brigade for 4 years.Joining the MOSB on the service of his 2nd great grandfather Lt William House andserving as Division Commander for 8 years, he was named Honorary Commander of the National organization for his work. David had several of the usual hobbies—fishing and hunting-he always enjoyed those trips to the Yukon or South Dakota.But he had one unusual hobby-he owned 12-pound mountain howitzer cannon.Ask anyone who hasbeen around him, when he shot it you knew it!He and his cannon attended many educational events for kids, grave dedications, memorial events, live drama “Postmarked Wilkes County”, New Year’s Eve,and any other excuse that he could find to holler “Fire in the Hole!” the cannon would ready to go! David was a member of the Atlanta Civil War Roundtable, the Old Guard of the Gate City Guard, as well as the Washington Chapter of the SAR.He currently serves on the board of the Southern Cultural Foundation. In the early 2000’s David moved back to Washington full time as President of Denard & Moore Construction.He and his wife Debra transferred their letters to the Fishing Creek Baptist Church. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years Debra Susan Lanter Denard; sons Matthew David and his wife Paige, and Thomas Adolph Denard and his wife Betsy; Grandchildren Austin Tyler Denard, Karie Anne Denard, Price Odian Denard, and Landon Harrison Denard.Daughter in law Jamie Price Denard. His former wife Karen Allen Pruitt.There is also a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins on both the Denard and Danner families. He was predeceased by his son Marcus Odian Denard; father O. A. Denard, Jr;mother Mary Possie Danner; and sister Possie Ann Denard. Funeral services will be 11:00am Thursday, December 16, 2021, at the Fishing Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Roy Cates officiating and Mr. Mike Guin in charge of the music.Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Bobby Danner, Barry Denard, Brian Denard, Dennis Bufford,Jim Baston, and Jeff Daniels. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening (12/15/2021) at Hopkins Funeral Home in Washington, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fishing Creek Baptist Church, c/o Mr. Frank Galofaro, 1991 Mallorysville Rd., Tignall, Ga. 30668.