Karl Eugene Kessinger

Mr. Karl Eugene Kessinger of Carrollton, Georgia passed away at his home on Friday, June 20, 2025. He was born on September 20, 1939 in Horton, Kansas, the son of the late, Dora Kessinger and Cyrus Kessinger.
Karl graduated from Seaman High School in Topeka, Kansas in 1958. He was an outstanding athlete and was a member of the football, basketball and track teams. He joined the Navy in 1958 following his two brothers into the service. During his twenty-two years of service, he was stationed in San Diego, California (aboard ship), followed by tours of duty in Great Lakes, Illinois; Ankara, Turkey, Joint U.S. Military Mission for Aid to Turkey; Salt Lake City, Utah at the NROTC Unit at the University of Utah; Vietnam, Naval Advisory Group, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Naval Air Station; Lexington, Virginia, NROTC Unit. He retired in 1978, as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.
Karl began studying for his Bachelor's degree in Great Lakes and continued with correspondence courses as well as courses at the University of Utah and at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. He completed his degree following retirement at The University of West Georgia. He finished the last fifteen years of his second career with the Carroll County School System, retiring in 2007.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Colette Ross Kessinger; daughter, Meredith Damm; sons, Robin Kessinger, Rick (Ching) Kessinger, Jeff (Peter) Kessinger; grandchildren, Kyle Kessinger, Charlie Kessinger, Ben Kessinger, Katie Kessinger, Lauren Kessinger, Reese Damm, Quinn Damm; brother, Larry (Terri) Kessinger; and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parent's, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Todd Kessinger; brother, Arthur Phillips and sister MaryAnn Rickles.
The family is deeply grateful to all who provided care for Karl with a special thanks to Connie Ransby.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM from the chapel of Almon Funeral Home with Chaplain Clarence Sinkler officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to service from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM.
Interment will follow at Carroll Memory Gardens with American Legion Post 143 providing military honors. Serving as pallbearers will be Robin Kessinger, Rick Kessinger, Jeff Kessinger, Kyle Kessinger, Charlie Kessinger and Quinn Damm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Legion Post 143, PO Box 647, Carrollton, Georgia 30112 or via The Community Foundation of West Georgia https://cfwg.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1037
Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com
Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.