Tuesday
February 11th, 2025
12:01PM
Joel David Killingsworth July 30, 1963 - February 6, 2025
Joel David Killingsworth passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2025, after a short illness.
He grew up playing Pop Warner Football, Little League Baseball, and church league basketball. He attended Greater Atlanta Christian School where he excelled in basketball and baseball and earned the nickname “Digger” for his tenacity and intense play on the court and field. He still holds the record at GACS for the most charges (30) taken in one season. There was no question that he was a team player.
After high school graduation, David enrolled at Georgia Southern University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and pledged Alpha Tau Omega. There, he enjoyed inter-fraternity sports and forged lifetime friendships. He developed a love for golf, the Masters Tournament, and even built a backyard putting green to keep his short game sharp.
He and his beloved wife, Jennifer, spent many happy days on the waters of Lake Lanier where they built their home. You could always find them boating, jet-skiing, and hanging out at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands hoping to catch a glimpse of Jimmy Buffett himself. Summers included trips to Hilton Head to indulge in the coastal delights of the Lowcountry. Fall Saturdays were spent in beautiful Athens, Georgia, tailgating and cheering on his Georgia Bulldogs. Countless wonderful memories were made in the parking lot of the Tate Center and in Sanford Stadium.
First and foremost, David loved spending quality time with his family, friends, and pets. He cherished the relationships; all of them. He was quick with a joke, mostly bad ones, and we knew a joke was coming because of the twinkle in his eyes. He lived life expecting excitement, laughter, and he loved fiercely.
Family was key to David. He deeply loved his children, wanted them to succeed, and was extremely proud of their accomplishments. The last couple of years brought health issues, but David faced them and fought them bravely, surrounded by the support of his wife and family.
David is survived by his wife and soulmate, Jennifer Banks Killingsworth, his children, Hannah (Jacob fiancé), Caroline and Josh, father Jim Killingsworth (Judy), sisters Cindi White (Wayne), Vicki Nardone (Chris), Amy Killingsworth, in-laws Lynn Lawson (Preston), Michael Banks (Cheryl), Julie (Tracy) Payne, and nephews, Blake Payne, Phillip, Jeffrey, and Patrick White, Grayson (Emma fianceé) and Tanner Nardone, Jake Killingsworth and niece Brooke Killingsworth. David was preceded in death by his mother LaVerne Killingsworth and his brother, Jamey Killingsworth.
Cherish the memories you made with David. Those memories will keep his spirit alive in you.
Visitation is Saturday, February 8 from 4 pm - 7 pm
Celebration of Life service Sunday, February 9 at 2:30 pm with visitation from Noon until 2:00 pm.
While flowers are welcome, if you prefer to make an enduring donation, David and his pets would love for you to donate to the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia https://humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org/
For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com .
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