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Lon L. Day Jr.

Lon Day Obituary

Lon L. Day, Jr. - DULUTH - Lon L. Day, Jr., age 79, of Duluth, GA, died November 25, 2008, after a long illness. Lon was born in Springfield, Georgia, the son of a Baptist pastor, Lon L. Day, Sr. He graduated from Lancer High School in Macon, GA, and attended GA Military College. He served in the U.S. Army (Military Police) in the 1950's in the Korean Conflict. Lon was an original board member of Days Inn of America, Inc., a company founded by his late brother, Cecil B. Day, Sr. He was Chairman of the Board of First American Innkeepers, the largest franchisee of the Days Inn hotel chain in the 1970s. He was chairman of the board of Day Realty of Atlanta, Inc. until he retired in 2003. Lon was a committed Christian who lived his faith every day. At his death he was a member of Parkway Baptist Church, he was a former member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs. He is survived by his wife, Norma Deakins DeRossett Day of Duluth, GA; sons, Lon Lee Day, III and his wife, Sharon, of Marietta, GA, Don A. Day and his wife, Ann, of Cumming, GA; step-sons, Tom DeRossett, Jr. and his wife, Cathy, of Newport Beach, CA and Don H. DeRossett and his wife, Linda, of Duluth, GA; daughter, Nancy G. Day of Cumming, GA; step-daughter, Renee DeRossett of Tybee Island, GA; grandchildren, Jennifer Day and Bryan Day; step-grandchildren, Tom DeRossett, III, Tori Bjerke, Trevor DeRossett, Tiffany DeRossett, and Sean DeRossett; and five step-great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 29th, at Parkway Baptist Church in Duluth with Dr. James King and Dr. Robert Rohm officiating. The body lying-in-state from 1:00-2:00 p.m, Saturday at the church. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, GA. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers those desiring may make contributions to Precept Ministries International, P. O. Box 182218, Chattanooga, TN 37422 (800)763-8280, www.precept.org . Online condolences may be expressed at www.crowellbrothers.com . Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel Funeral Home Norcross, GA (770) 448-5757 Savannah Morning News November 26, 2008 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Savannah Morning News on Nov. 26, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Lon Day

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Jimmy Weaver

December 20, 2008

Dear Don and Nancy, 12/20/08-159AM. This is the strangest thing that has ever happened to me. I have had the Day family on my mind so much lately. I'm at work and decided to enter Rev. Lon Day to see what might come up. Next I found myself reading the Guest Book for Mr. Lon. I have never been so stunned. I've tried to reach Mr. Lon several times by calling an old phone number that I have with no luck. Every time I speek with Willie Frank Web, I ask him about Mr. Lon and how he has been doing? I have so many good memories of him and Miss Dot stopping by the Days Inn in Forsyth so many times coming and going to Savannah. Once he brought me a hat that he had got for me on a trip to I believe it was Greece. One night he came in the motel and asked me if I liked his new jacket. I had to work the following morning and Mr. Lon came in with a newspaper. He handed me a check and told me that he wanted me to be able to get a jacket like his. One time he and Miss Dot came in and he gave me the keys to Miss Dot's new Mercedes and asked me to fill it up and take it for a ride. Another time he came in with Chick Filet coupons and asked if I would give them out for his friend. We had so many good conversations over the phone when he would call for Mama Day. The night of the sale of Days Inn, he called me and thank me for working for the family. That was so thoughtful of him. I remember also one time he stopped by and tried to get me to go to Tybee with him. I know that he will be truely missed by so many people. He was a wonderful man. I know that this will be a difficult time for ya'll for sometime, but give thanks to God for having such a Father that you can be so proud of. I will keep you in my prayers and please tell Miss Dean ,Hi for me. Please take care of yourselves and I wish you the best. Sincerely, Jimmy Weaver- Forsyth

Lisa Brewer Coletta

December 12, 2008

Don, Lee and Nancy,
I was sorry to hear about your fathers death. I have not seen any of you in years but do remember your Dad was a fine man! My thought and prayers are with you all.

Shirley Greer

November 30, 2008

I will always treasure my friendship with Lon and Dot. They were wonderful neighbors in River Chase for many years. Lon and Dot's son, Don and my son Clark have been close friends since grammar school. I am so sorry that I was out of the country and could not extend my love and sympathy to Lon's children.

Florence Kessler

November 29, 2008

Lon has always been a special brother-in-law to me. I always enjoyed his spiritual mailings.

Andy Kessler

November 29, 2008

Uncle Lon meant the world to me. After gradutating from UGA I had an opportunity to spend a week or so with him learning some value life lessons. I will always treasure that memory.

To all of Uncle Lon's family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bryan Pillsbury

November 28, 2008

I loved Lon and Dot. They were most gracious to me when I first came to Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in 1987. Lon was always dropping by the office to encourage us and I loved his heart for missions. He set a great example and I will forever remember his Kindness to me and concern for my family. He was a true Saint and I miss him.

Ragan E. DeFreese

November 28, 2008

Lee, Don and Nancy,
I was saddened to hear about your dad. Thankfully I was able to spend some time with him a couple of months ago. My family is so thankful for him and his friendship over the last 40+ years. When I enrolled at UGA but did not have housing he offered me a room at Day's Inn until I could get situated. He did countless things for my dad and family over the years. We will miss him dearly but now he will be reunited with your mom, Dot. I also treasure our 20+ year relationship with her. Take care and you will be in our prayers.

Perry and Ginny McCarty

November 28, 2008

Fond memories of Lon @ Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, especially his minstry of "hand-outs."

June Burke-Forehand

November 28, 2008

Lee, Don, and Nancy, We were saddened to hear about your father. Many years have passed since we have been in contact, but my children and I have very fond memories of your dad, mom, and, of course, your grandmother, Aunt Kathleen. David, Leigh Ann, and Steven send their love and want you to know if you're ever in the area to please stop by to see us. Love,

Ann Platz

November 26, 2008

Norma,

Sending love and deepest sympathy to you and your family. I know that Lon's legacy of faith will go on as a testimony to the Lord.

MARY ANN BERRY

November 26, 2008

Dear Day Family,
Uncle Lon was always welcoming when we came to visit the family ... whether in Richmond, or Atlanta, or where ever. He, Aunt Dorothy, and Nancy, Lee & Don were the only family members that lived away from the Savannah area, so it was always special for us to visit. He always took pictures of us and shared them. His smile was infectious. Now, he will be celebrating with the family in Heaven ... probably with a camera in his hand.
I am in Maryland taking care of our granddaughter Maya Elizabeth and sharing Thanksgiving with them. I am sorry I cannot get away to share in the celebration of his life.
Fondly,
Mary Ann Kessler Berry

Charles & Fran Sanders

November 26, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Terri Frank

November 26, 2008

Don & Anne, As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. My thoughts and my love are sent your way.

Jacqueline Lee Malphrus

November 26, 2008

Rev. and Mrs. Day spent the night in our home when Lon was very young. We had a crib at the time that was missing one side. Our families put the crib against the side of the parent's bed and Lon slept there. Apparently something happened and he rolled out of the bed because the next morning, Lon said to me, "Now look what you did." I was nowhere near them when this happened. This was in Pooler, Georgia. The next day we were playing with a wagon, pulling Lon around. Other details escape me, but I have remembered Lon's remark to me all this time. I was a year older. I think Rev. Lon Day knew my grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, who was pastor in Pooler also. This incident and others where Rev. Day and family spent nights in the homes of church members might have been part of the inspiration for Day's Inns.

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