Albert Darrell "Al" Rountree

Al, whose family fondly referred to him as Darrell, was born in Cadwell, Georgia in 1942 to Cavador & Emily Rountree, a surprise to them at their age. In the early years of his life his family worked on the farm, and he would often wander off with his dog and could be found sleeping under the trees, just him and his dog. From an early age he did not enjoy school and would often skip classes and run to his older sister's house, Punk and play with his nephew Hilbert, who was only a year younger than him. As time passed his family moved off the farm and his dad worked at the prison. They lived on the prison property until his parents bought a local convenience store that also sold gas. He would help his parents at the store bagging groceries and pumping gas. He would be chomping at the bit to leave on weekend shifts to go out on dates and would get disappointed when his dad made him work late.

He graduated from high school and tried working at several different places before joining the Navy. He served 3 years before getting out and moving back to Cadwell. He rejoined the Navy in 1975, but this time as part of TAR so he didn't have to be out to sea for long periods of time.

He met the love of his life, Debi and was married January 23, 1981, in Marietta Georgia. He was blessed with a built-in family and was able to be a dad to two beautiful girls that he loved with all his heart and was always so very proud of both of them.

His new life took him to New Orleans in Gretna, Louisiana. He played on the softball team with his squadron, Flag-ops. He and Debi loved living in Louisiana after finally adjusting there after a year. Family would come and visit and they would take them to historical sites and Mardi Gras parades. He enjoyed spending time with his girls, fishing, riding bikes, swimming, playing both softball and tennis.

After 4 years in Louisiana the Navy brought him and his family back home to Georgia. He and Debi bought their first home in Dallas, Georgia. He loved being back in his home state as he afforded more opportunities to see his mom, sister Juanita and brothers Henry Allen "HA" and Cavador "Junior" more frequently. When it was time for the Navy to station him again, it was between Washington state and Florida. Luckily, he was stationed in Florida.

Al retired from the Navy in 1993 and that same year he and Debi joined First Baptist Church Orange Park. He became an usher and joined the Bass Fishing Club. He also started to work for Vac-Con and played on their co-ed softball team with his oldest daughter, Decie. He retired from Vac-Con in 2008 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2009. He was a devoted family man and always wanted to make sure all his girls were taken care of. After giving his youngest daughter, Melissa away to marry Brian and moving her to Illinois, Melissa quickly realized she wanted to come back home to Florida. He flew to Illinois to drive her belongings as well as her husband in the biggest moving truck they could find, towing their car behind. In 2014 Al finally became a Pop-Pop. He was so proud of Eddie and loved sharing his love of baseball, fishing and his little red truck. Even after years of struggling with dementia the week prior to him going to the hospital, he had a conversation with Debi that he wanted to make sure his girls were always happy.