Tal Centers Sr.

Talmadge Raymond Centers, Sr. (Tal), age 85, a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, went to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 18, 2024.
Tal is the son of the late Raymond and Ila Mae Centers. He was born in Lumbard, Kentucky, the second of 5 children. He lived in central and eastern Kentucky, and graduated from Dixie Heights High School in South Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. Upon graduation, Tal attended the University of Kentucky before enlisting in the US Army. Tal served his country in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sargent E6 in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) from 1962-1970, which was one of his proudest moments. In 1962, Tal met his beautiful wife of 62 years, Pamela Peterson of Carthage, Texas in Lawton, Oklahoma and married her shortly after, before being deployed to Kitszenton Alman, Germany. They resided there for 3 years, and he served as part of the response to The Second Berlin Crisis, and served two tours in Vietnam. During his tours, he served as a forward observer, as well as artillery specialist and surveyor. His military decorations included two Air Medals, a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. In 2011, Tal's military experience was documented through the Library of Congress "Veterans History Project, Witness To War" for the Military Heritage Museum.
After his discharge, Tal held many positions in the construction and energy industries before investing in a Texaco station in Carthage, Texas. He loved serving his customers and brought smiles to everyone that passed through the station. In 2003, Tal and Pam retired to Alpharetta, Georgia where they have been residing for the past 21 years. He loved riding his Harley, hanging out with his grandkids & neighbors, and enjoying the wildlife in their backyard.
Tal was the light of his families' eyes. He was always joking and supportive of his wife and children. It was important to him to instill discipline, wisdom and kindness in his children. He will truly be missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Peterson Centers of Alpharetta, GA, 4 children and spouses, Talmadge R. Centers, Jr. and Janet Turner Centers of Montgomery, TX, Tawny Centers Morris and Blake Morris of Alpharetta, GA, Clay Centers of Longview, TX, and Cande Centers Smillie and Steve Smillie of Allen, TX. Tal has 13 grandchildren, Cole Centers, Codi Leggett, Cheyenne Stephens, Blake Morris, Jr., Dakota Centers, Jake Smillie, John Michael Morris, Joshua Morris, Austin Smillie, Matthew Morris, Cade Smillie, Sarah Grace Morris and Marshall Manning, and 8 great grandchildren, his brother, James Centers of Las Vegas, NV and his cousin, Linda Crosslin of Winchester, KY.
Tal was preceded in death by his parents and his 3 sisters, Rita Bitter, Geraldine Woodruff and Carolyn Hanson.
Tal's celebration of life service will be Saturday, January 4, 2025, 11:00 am at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel located at 1131 State Highway 149, Carthage, Texas 75633. Interment with military honors will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the funeral home.
Pallbearers are Cole Centers, Dakota Centers, Jake Smillie, Austin Smillie, Cade Smillie, Blake Morris, Jr., John Michael Morris, and Matthew Morris.
Honorary pallbearers are Talmadge Centers, Jr. and Clay Centers.
Memorials may be made to Patriot Guard Tribute-patriotguard.org, Tunnels to Towers-t2t.org, or to the Athens Homeless Coalition-https://givebutter.com/cDWFQc.
A guestbook may be signed at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.