Thomas Dave Bullington

Thomas Dave Bullington, 86, of Athens died peacefully Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Athens-Limestone Hospital. Born May 13, 1924, to Melvin E. and Minnie Lee Noblitt Bullington, Tom was a life-long resident of Limestone County where he had agricultural and business interests. He will be remembered most as a servant leader giving of himself to his family, church, and all who knew him. His compassion, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, joy, and love were evident to all. Services will be at 11 am Tuesday at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with burial at Roselawn. Visitation is Monday from 6-9 pm at the funeral home. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Margaret Gey Bullington; his four children and their spouses: Shirley and Wayne Holt, Larry and Pat Bullington, James and Sandra Bullington (all of Athens), and David and Molly Bullington (of Baton Rouge); ten grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a brother Joe Bullington and wife Paula (of the Thach community). He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Hattie Lee Stinnett Bullington, two sisters Catherine Pittman and Cindy Reynolds, and two brothers Melvin Bullington and Robert Bullington. Tom worshipped with the Eastside Church of Christ where he served 27 years as an elder. He served on Athens Bible Schools Board of Directors for 19 years and received the Bridge Builder Award. The family asks that any memorials be made to Athens Bible School. In 2001 he was awarded his diploma from Athens High School in recognition that WWII had interrupted curriculums for many veterans. He volunteered for service in the US Army Air Force in 1944 and was stationed at Flixton Field, England, in early 1945. He was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of Master Sergeant and began farming in partnership with his father. He later founded with his brother, Robert, a plumbing, electrical, and mechanical business named Bullington Brothers. He taught those who worked with him not only the skills of a trade but pride in their work. His joy of woodworking and building things was exceeded only by his joy of making mechanical things run especially antique clocks. ce.Pallbearers will be Greg Nix, Greg Steele, Eric Patterson, Scott Abernathy, Gary Boyd, Brent Horne, Vernon Reece, Craig Calvert, and Mike Bryant. His beloved friend Sewell Hall will be officiating the service

Thomas Dave Bullington

May 13, 1924 - May 7, 2011