He was born July 13, 1945 in Albany, the son of Olin L. Gammage, Sr. and Doris Toney Gammage.
A 1963 graduate of Cedartown High School, Mr. Gammage took the reins of the funeral home in 1974 becoming the second generation in the family business. This was not a new venture for him since he had begun working for his father when he was ten-years-old, washing cars, putting up tents, even assisting with funerals and visitations and running Gammage’s ambulance service.
Mr. Gammage was an exceptional athlete. A few of his accomplishments include Region AA Shot Put Record holder for 28 years, Georgia Team Captain of the 1962 Georgia-Florida High School Football Game. He was honored by receiving a Football and Track Scholarship at the University of Tennessee.
He attended the John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science and became a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director in 1969.
Mr. Gammage, represented the city of Cedartown as a member of the city commission board, then a State Legislator in the 17th district of the House of Representatives.
He is a past chairman of the Coosa Valley Area and Planning Development Commission. He is a Master Mason in Caledonia Lodge 121, and a Shriner in the Yaarab Shrine. He was a past member of the Lions Club and the Lions Club Eye Harvest Team and a life sponsor of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.
He is survived by wife, June Kinsey Gammage; five children: Olin L.III and wife Jennifer Gammage, Laura and husband Kelly McLendon, Lisa and husband Jeffry Haney, Michael Gammage, and Leslie Gammage; sister and brother-in-law: Mary Louise and husband, Kerry Thomas; brother and sister-in-law: Elliott and Lee Gammage, and brother, Phillip Gammage. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death his sons, Marion G. “Chip” Moss, Jr. and Gus Robert Gammage and parents, Olin L. Sr. and Doris Gammage.
A private family service was held.
The family respectfully request that floral arrangements be omitted. Memorial contributions may be made to The Doris House, P. O. Box 718, Cedartown, GA 30125.
The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.