Richard Eugene Killingsworth Upshaw November 20, 1962 – August 13, 2016 Richard Eugene Killingsworth Upshaw of Dunwoody, GA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 13, 2016. Mr. Upshaw was born in Dublin, GA on November 20, 1962 to Richard Claxton Upshaw and Mary Elizabeth Killingsworth Upshaw; both of Dublin, GA. Mr. Upshaw’s father, Richard Claxton, was a Sargent Major in the United States Army; instilling early a love for military service and patriotism… Read More » in his son.
As a result of his father’s military service, Mr. Upshaw lived in Alaska, Virginia, Germany, Texas and Oklahoma; before returning to his hometown of Dublin, GA. He graduated from Dublin High School with the class of 1981. As a teenager, Mr. Upshaw worked for several family businesses with favorite uncles and cousins; including D&K Motors, Southeast Paper and Mark III Floor Coverings.
He attended Middle Georgia College in 1981, and continued his education the following year at Georgia Southern University. Mr. Upshaw was a devoted Brother of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1986 with degrees in Anthropology and Sociology.
Mr. Upshaw was a proud member of the United States Army; serving as an Infantry Soldier in Baumholder, Germany from 1986-1988. He conducted various maneuverers throughout West Germany rising in rank; and proudly returning home from his service with a piece of the Berlin Wall. Mr. Upshaw continued his love of military service and devotion to military veterans throughout his life.
He returned to his beloved, adopted city of Atlanta, GA in 1988, and began his career with Fisher Scientific Instrumentation. Over the next twenty five years, Mr. Upshaw built a career with medical laboratory services. He worked as an Account Manager, Sales Manager, Training Manager, and Executive Vice President.
He later earned his MBA from Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Mr. Upshaw was a dedicated Free and Accepted Mason; having been raised by the then Worshipful Master of Palestine Lodge 486; who was his own brother, Joseph Alton Upshaw. At this time, he was raised in a large ceremony, commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of Palestine Lodge 486.
This event drew attendance from Masons throughout Georgia and the surrounding states. Mr. Upshaw was also one of only two candidates, ever to be initiated into the Masonic Order in Georgia by the Traveling Indian Degree Team from Oklahoma. He continued his Masonic career by attaining the rank of 32nd Degree York Rite Mason, having earned the titles of Royal Arch Mason, Royal and Select Master, and Knight Templar.
Mr. Upshaw was an ardent contributor to various Masonic charities such as The Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital, The Templar Eye Foundation, and The Masonic Children’s Home in Macon, GA. Mr. Upshaw was a member of Dunwoody United Methodist Church and The Georgian Club. He will be long remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, generous giving spirit, and love of all things Southern.
Mr. Upshaw’s children, family and friends will remember: his love of sunsets at the ocean, family cookouts, rides with the top down, Shackalac, the Cabin, his favorite hats, lazy days on the Altamaha, low country boil, classic rock and roll, ice cream, Christmas, military movies, and endless hours of sharing stories. He was endlessly proud of his children’s accomplishments; specifically daughter Bronte’s Broadway journey as a student at The Boston Conservatory and shared love of music, son Joseph’s shared loved of Southern Rock, esteemed guitar skills and love of nature, and daughter Amelia’s shared love of all things sweet, joyful dance and laughter. Mr. Upshaw’s greatest loves and treasures were indeed his three children; Bronte Olivia Upshaw, Joseph Henry Upshaw and Amelia Rose Upshaw.
Along with his beloved miniature schnauzer, Sadie Mae; he is survived by his wife Kelly Andrews Upshaw. Also left to cherish his memory are his father, Richard Claxton Upshaw and wife Suki of Tacoma, WA. , his mother Mary Elizabeth Killingsworth Upshaw Powell and husband Billy Joe Powell, Sr. of Dublin, GA, his brother Joseph Alton Upshaw, and wife Tami of Marietta, GA, his sister Mary Alise Upshaw of Fayetteville, NC, and his brother Billy Joe Powell, Jr. of Montrose, GA.
Mr. Upshaw is also survived by four nieces, four nephews, and a loving family of many aunts, uncles and cousins. His family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, August 19 at Stanley Funeral Home on 1320 North Jefferson St., Dublin, GA. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 pm at Montrose Baptist Church on 4313 US Highway 80 West, Montrose, GA.
A graveside service will immediately follow, honoring Mr. Upshaw’s military and masonic careers, at Memorial Gardens on 2986 US Highway 80 West, Dublin, GA. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers that donations in his memory be made to Georgia Disabled Veterans, American Heart Association, or the Upshaw Children Education Fund at Wells Fargo Bank (kellyupshaw@gmail.com). Online condolences may be made to the family online at www.
stanleyfuneralhome.com. Stanley Funeral Home & Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of the arrangements.
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