David Edward Wetzel

Dr. David Edward Wetzel, 83, of Tallahassee, FL passed away Friday, July 10, 2020.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Dr. Tom Smiley will officiate. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 14th from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Born on March 29, 1937, he grew up in Elizabethton, TN; David is preceded in death by parents, Edward Carl and Emma Louise Kinch Wetzel. He went to Elizabethton High School where he was a student athlete playing football, baseball and basketball. He was all-state in baseball and football. He was drafted by the New York Yankees. Dr. Wetzel graduated Carson Newman College where he played baseball.

He received his Doctorate Degree from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Wetzel began his more than 50 year career in education at Carson Newman College. During his career, he was a teacher, principal, graduate assistant in Dept. of Reading, Reading Supervisor, Superintendent for Elizabethton City Schools and Associate professor at Lincoln Memorial University.

David was a deacon and active member at First Baptist Church in Elizabethton, TN and then a member of Bradfordville First Baptist Church in Bradfordville, FL.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved hunting in South Dakota with friends and family. His tradition of South Dakota hunting is still carried on by his nephews.

In addition to his parents, David is preceded in death by his grandson, Cameron Wetzel.

David is survived by his wife, Shirley Frost Wetzel; son, Kevin Wetzel (Renee) of Gainesville; daughter, Kristin Wetzel Hendrix (Skip) of Tallahassee, FL; four grandchildren, Whitney Avery (Patrick), Madalyn Wetzel, Lyndee Hendrix, Londyn Hendrix; one great grandchild, Saylor Kate Avery; sisters, Trish Hart, Lynda Peters; one brother, Andrew Wetzel (Cheryl); special nephew, Andy Wetzel; brother in law and sister in law, Jack and Janice Frost and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers those who wish may make contributions to First Baptist Church of Elizabethton, 212 E F St, Elizabethton, TN 37643; Bradfordville First Baptist Church, 6494 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32312, First Baptist Church of Gainesville, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, GA 30501; Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30501.

A celebration of life service will be held in Elizabethton, TN at a later date.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.