Richard Joseph "Rick" DeMars

Richard Joseph "Rick" DeMars, age 71 of Dahlonega, GA, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2014 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.

Rick was born in Pittsburg, PA on May 30, 1943 to his parents, Frank and Mary DeMars. At the age of nine, Rick's family moved to south Florida where his brother, Ron and sister, Ruth still reside. Rick spent those years up to and through high school helping out his father in the family business, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing the islands with his family. Rick became quite the accomplished snorkeler and even assisted in the recovery of shipwrecks.

After high school, Rick attended Florida Atlantic University where he became part of the first ever graduating class. While working and preparing for graduate school to pursue his life's calling as an educator, he met his wife to be, Dorothy. They both went on to do their graduate work together at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide).

After obtaining a PhD and life giving him a son, Rich, Rick went on to Professorships at a number of institutions of higher learning including Western Kentucky University, Huntington College, and Troy State University. Rick taught subjects ranging from mathematics to student education, and was also in that time given another bundle of joy in the birth of his daughter, Jennifer. All at the same time, Rick also found time to be active in his church community and to donate many times helping in soup kitchens. After being instrumental in the formation of the Troy State online math courses, Rick retired from teaching and moved to Lumpkin County with his wife where he continued working with the church until his illness prevented him.

Richard Joseph DeMars: a husband, a father, and a professor will be greatly missed.

Rick is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Joseph and Mary Bruns DeMars.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy DeMars of Dahlonega, GA; son and daughter-in-law, Rich and Min DeMars, Cumming, GA; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Tommy Fisher, Montgomery, AL; brother, Ron DeMars, Coral Springs, FL; sister, Ruth Scott, Boynton Beach, FL; grandchildren, Mindy DeMars, Maddalen DeMars, and Joseph Tillery. A number of other relatives also survive.

Funeral Mass for Rick is scheduled for 10 AM Thursday, September 18, 2014 at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Dahlonega, GA.