David Alan Warburg, Jr.

David Alan Warburg, Jr., 54, of Moultrie, Georgia died on Friday, May 1, 2020, free at last from a lifelong struggle with sickness.
A private graveside service will be held at Baker/Hillcrest Memorial Gardens on Sunday, May 3, 2020. A drive through visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2020 from 1:00 pm- 1:30 pm. An open memorial service will be held at a later date.

David was loved by his family, friends, neighbors, and so many others who knew him. He will be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, daddy, nandaddy, brother, and friend, for his laughter, his teasing, his strength of character, his honesty, and his work ethic.  Above all else, he loved his savior Jesus Christ and always served others more than himself. He never met a stranger, and through the toughest seasons of his life always found a way to share the love of Christ, bring a smile to those who needed it, and find the grace and mercy of God in every circumstance. He will be missed, even as he enters the joy of eternal life.

David was born on Christmas Day in 1965 to the late David Alan Warburg, Sr. and the late Georgia Shaver Trammell in Moultrie, Georgia. David was known by most for his love of airplanes, which began at age 3 while living at Spence Air Field. His excitement for approaching jet engines continued his entire life, and rubbed off on his children and grandchildren. He married his best friend and lifelong partner Theresa in 1984, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1987 with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. During his time in basic training, he used his artistic talent to paint a mural for the base and received the Medal of Achievement after only eight months in the service, the first airman to do so in that time period in USAF history. During his training, David was hospitalized for the first of what would become a lifetime of illness, which led to a medical discharge from the service. To his final days, he always shared his gratitude for his sickness in the service because it led to his introduction to his best friend Joe Byrnes, an airman in the class following David's class. Joe and his wife Andrea remained close friends with David and Theresa long after their service days. Anyone who knew David discovered immediately that he had intense pride in his service and the mission of the US Air Force, whether it was a hat or t-shirt or his car, designed and labeled to look like a fighter jet.

David was a driven worker, and taught everyone he worked with to glorify God through their labor. He insisted on doing the best work you could possibly do, taking the time to do it right, and to be proud of what you have done. He co-owned Southern Powder Coating for a season of life, opened and owned the Toy Chest, a hobby store in Moultrie, Georgia, and was a machine shop instructor at Moultrie Technical College before sickness caused him to turn his labor to his family and his health.

David loved children. He was determined from the time he became a father that he would always put his children - and their salvation - before his own needs, to be the best man he could be. He was a collector of model airplanes, arts, and hobbies his entire life, and brought joy to children, family, and classrooms for years by sharing his passion with them. He volunteered often for school plays, class trips, and science experiments, and sought out mentorship opportunities through the school system to be a positive role model by mentoring boys who did not have strong men in their lives. The greatest of these mentor relationships with his god-daughter Leah Crews, who he began to care for at 4 weeks old, and to whom he became "Daddy David." He led church youth programs, always had a new toy or craft, and put in the extra step to make a good time a great time - even if that meant building a Ferris wheel in the background, mounting a full-size airplane in the front yard to celebrate holidays for passers by, or making custom playground equipment and toys for each grandchild.

David is survived by his wife, Theresa Patterson Warburg; his children, Keith and Jami Lyn Warburg of Valdosta, GA, and Allison and Brian Amory of Sharpsburg, GA; his grandchildren, Emi Lou Warburg, Graham Warburg, Saya Amory, and London Amory; his mama and daddy, Lavon and Elizabeth Patterson; his siblings, Kathylynn Duggins and husband Todd, Daniel Warburg, and Tammy Stapp; and his god-daughter Leah Crews of Nashville, GA. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

He leaves behind faithful canine companions Toby, Lilly, and Oliver, and is preceded in rest by his co-amputee and loyal dog Marshall.

Arrangement entrusted to Baker Funeral Home, Moultrie, Georgia