A committed leader, family man, and visionary for Dawson County died on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Edgar George David Jr., 83, played a major role in casting the vision for Dawson County and served the community the same way he served his country with integrity.

The biggest lesson my Dad ever taught me was about integrity, said his daughter, Dana LaChance.

I remember once we were camping on Lake Lanier and decided to walk our property line. It was really hot and we got lost, and had no water. We eventually came to a watermelon patch, and Dad picked the smallest one, and it quenched our thirst. As we were about to leave, he said, wait a minute. He took out a two dollar bill, placed it inside the empty watermelon, and off we went.

LaChance said she found a $2 bill in her fathers wallet after he passed away.

Im keeping that one, she said.

David was a decorated war veteran and served his country in Vietnam and Korea. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. army and retired in 1971 after a 20-year career. While working as an Airborne and Ranger Instructor at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he met his wife of 48 years, Marie Alston David.

After he retired, he believed in serving his community the same way he served his country with passion, LaChance added.

Davids roots in Dawson and Lumpkin counties go back generations. His maternal great-great-great grandfather, Joseph McKee discovered Porter Springs in Dahlonega.

In Dawson County, he served on the Board of Education and the Board of Elections. He was president and secretary of the Dawsonville Lions Club, a charter member of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Lake Lanier roperty Owners Association, an advisor to the Dawson County Homeowners Assocation, a secretary-treasurer of the Dawson County Development Authority, and chair of the Dawson County municipal planning commission.

George received the Lions Club Melvin Jones Award which is presented to someone one has exemplified service to the community, said Lion Club President Marty Horne. He donated time and property to organizations throughout the county.

David was co-founder of the Dawson County Humane Society and served on its board of director until his passing.

George David was incredibly important in the founding of our organization and helped to get the humane society established, said Carolyn Bowen, president of the Humane Society. George touched so many lives in Dawson County and he was loved for his gentle and kind ways. He was a gentlemen in every sense of the word, and he will be deeply missed by his Dawson County Humane Society family. It is a sad time for all those who knew him.

David was also the inspiration and the first recipient of the Dawson County Stewardship Award. Shortly after his 78th birthday, he was recognized on a statewide level when Senate Resolution 407 was passed, commending his lifetime of achievements. He was also instrumental in founding the Dawson County Republican Party.

I lived to please my father and to make him proud of me, said LaChance, her words caught with emotion. He gave me the most unconditional love of anyone besides Jesus Christ.

Funeral services were held yesterday at Beardens funeral home. For the full obituary, please see pg. 9.