Harold G. "Doc" Temple

Harold G. “Doc” Temple was born on August 4, 1934, and went home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on June 26, 2017.

Raised in Georgia, Harold graduated from Southwest Dekalb High School and went to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) before transferring to the University of Georgia. He earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from UGA in 1958 and began his career as a veterinarian in the U.S. Air Force. In 1966, he earned a masters of public health degree from the University of North Carolina to further prepare him for the public health component of the military veterinary services.

During his 21-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Doc and his wife Jackie traveled the world with their three children for a lifetime of fun, laughter and adventures. They lived on four continents and in seven states across the U.S. His favorite of all was his adopted home place of Lumpkin County. He often said his greatest accomplishment was his children.

Doc had many gifts, including communication skills and the desire to see others achieve their full potential.

During his career, his commanding officers often cited his clear, concise and decisive communications and leadership abilities. His friends and family knew him as a storyteller, with most ending with smiles and laughter.

His last command was as the medical center director of veterinary services, supervising all military working dog care, food service facilities and subsistence inspections at Travis Air Force Base (California). During that time he also served on the inspector general team and was a consultant in veterinary medicine to 22 Air Force installations.

For more than 50 years, he coached youth teams in football, basketball, and baseball. If you were on one of his teams, you know he was competitive. You also know he truly wanted you to succeed as a person, to study hard, to play fair, and to do your best. He coached many all-star teams, including American Youth Association (AYA) teams at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, and the 2001 state championship U18 baseball team from Lumpkin County.

Doc was preceded in death by his parents, Harold S. and Lillian Miller Temple and his brothers, Bill and Dick. Doc is survived by his wife of 58 years Jacquelyn Cobb Temple, his children Thomas Temple (Laura) of Aiken, South Carolina; Lynn Temple of Decatur, Alabama; and Beth Reynolds (Jack) of Cumming, Georgia. Known as “Opa,” this close-knit family includes 10 grandchildren: Brad (Hannah), Ryan, Abby (Jonathan St. Clair), Lacy, Holly, Maggie and Caleb Temple; Jackson (Cami), Sam, and Harry Reynolds; as well as six great-grandchildren.

A graveside funeral service for Doc is scheduled for 11:30 AM Thursday June 29, 2017 at Dahlonega Memorial Park Cemetery.

Rev. Steve Schofield will officiate.

The family will receive friends at Banister Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 from 6 PM until 7:30 PM.

Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega is in charge of the arrangements.