James Leon Tuten

Memorial services for James Leon Tuten, 71, of Cairo, Georgia, were held May 7 at Pine Park Baptist Church, Cairo, Ga.

The Rev. Gordon Cloud and the Rev. Jimmy Burt officiated. Services concluded at the church. Private interment was in Pine Park Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Tuten passed away at his home in Grady County on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

Mr. Tuten was born on June 15, 1944, in Grady County, Georgia, to the late Mary Frances Tuten.

On June 7, 1967, he married Sheila Diane Jones Tuten, who survives, and they shared 48 wonderful years together.

Leon worked as a teacher, administrator and food service director in positions in the Thomasville City Board of Education and the Grady County Board of Education. He was a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Pine Park Baptist Church where he was a devoted member. He was an active member in Kiwanis from 1985 to 1998, and he served as the president, 1990 to 1991.

Leon loved his family, friends, and God’s beautiful world. In retirement, he especially enjoyed photographing scenery of God’s beauty, flora and fauna in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Survivors include his wife, Sheila Diane Jones Tuten of Cairo; children, Kevin Tuten and Angel of Crawfordville, Florida, Amy Tuten Bergman and Bobby of Cartersville, Georgia, and Brian Tuten and Jodi of Phoenix; grandchildren, Keira Tuten and Kaeden Tuten, both of Crawfordville, Evan Bergman and Gillian Bergman, both of Cartersville, Kendall Tuten, Chloe Tuten, Sydney Tuten, Elijah Tuten, Tirzah Tuten, Hosanna Tuten and Mercy Tuten, all of Phoenix; brother and sister-in-law, Charles Garner of Pelham, Georgia, and Evelyn Garner of Tallahassee, Florida; and sisters, Sandra Garner Reno and Kenny of Sylvester, Georgia, Wanda Garner Beasley and Steve of Sale City, Georgia, and Jan Garner Blackburn and Mike of Sale City.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Huey Columbus Garner; and his mother, Mary Frances Tuten Garner.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Tuten’s memory to Pine Park Baptist Church, 3783 Pine Park Road, Cairo, GA 39828; or A Christian Ministry in the National Parks (http://acmnp.com).