John Gary Day

John Gary Day, 82, of Columbus, GA died Saturday, March 9, 2024 at his home peacefully surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held 2:00PM Friday, March 15, 2024, in the chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

Sergeant First Class Day was born November 24, 1941 in High Point, North Carolina to the late Horace Chaney and Stella Maxine Day. He enlisted in the military at the age of 15. He served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years, and retired as a Sergeant First Class at Fort Benning, GA. Some of his military decorations include the Meritorious Services Medal with Palm Device, the Army Commendation Medal with Palm Device, the Good Conduct Medal Seventh Award, the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with three Bronze Stars, the Korea Defense Medal, the Vietnam Defense Medal, the Republic of Korea Tiger Division Victory Badge, the Expert Qualification Badge for the M-1 Carbine, .45 cal. Pistol, the 45 cal. Sub Machine Gun, the M-1 Rifle Grenade and the 3.5 Rocket Launcher, 30 cal. Machine Gun, the 50 cal. Machine Gun, 2 Overseas Bars, and 7 Service Bars. He later retired from the Columbus Police Department, as a Police Technician with 25 years’ service. He was selected as Police officer of the year in 1987.

Sergeant First Class Day was a graduate of The U.S. Army Light Artillery 105mm School, The U.S Army Military Police School, The Third Armored Division Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and the First Sergeant Orientation School. He served two tours of duty in Germany, one in Korea, and one in Vietnam. He is a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.

He is survived by his wife Hildegard Lisbeth Day; sons, Thomas Gary Day, and Michael Raymond Day (Carmon); stepchildren, Billy White, and Valerie Larson, of Columbus, GA; five grandchildren, Chase, Amber, Dakota, Michele, Robert, Kinsley Sturgess, and great-grandchild, Gunner Day. SFC Day has an army of friends. He is the great grandson of William Day, Company H, 54th North Carolina Troops, Confederate States. He holds the DVC Confederate Cross of Honor for his great grandfather’s service.