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Dee Albritton Jr.

FUNERAL HOME

Thompson Funeral Homes - Columbia

845 Leesburg Rd

Columbia, South Carolina

Dee Albritton Obituary

Dee Albritton, Jr., 73, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of service, strength, and deep devotion to family and country. Born on July 26, 1951, in Donalsonville, Georgia, he was the beloved son of Dee Albritton, Sr. and Eunice O'Hearn and one of three children, alongside Earl Albritton, Patricia Hayslip, and Morgan Hill. At the young age of 17, Dee answered the call to serve his nation. With his mother's signature, he enlisted in the United States Army, marking the beginning of a distinguished military journey that would shape the rest of his life. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he turned 18, followed by advanced training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dee proudly served a tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. Upon returning stateside in December 1970, he attended Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. In 1976, he was stationed in Japan, where he taught at the NCO Training Camp and played as a linebacker for the Army Football Team from 1977 to 1979. He returned to Fort Jackson in 1979 and continued to serve as a drill sergeant until he transitioned from Sergeant First Class (E7) to civilian life in 1983. Dee founded Albritton Tree Service in 1984, a business he proudly operated until his retirement in 2018. Dee had a deep love for motorcycles and joined the Iron Riders Motorcycle Club in 2010, later serving as its Retired President and proudly holding Life Member status. A true patriot, he was a dedicated participant in Columbia's Veterans Day Parades and was always eager to help others, offering both his time and his heart. He is survived by his two children: Gerald Albritton and Major Dena Ogden of the South Carolina Army National Guard, whom he raised with Geraldine Gallion during their 30-year marriage; grandchildren: Kaleb Albritton and Sierra Ogden; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson, John Dee Gavin Ogden, whom he will join at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Dee was a man of strength and a joyful spirit, with a voice that could fill any room. He loved gospel music, reading, and home-cooked meals. He never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger. He found joy in family gatherings, the roar of a motorcycle engine, and lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Above all, Dee loved God and his country, and he lived each day with purpose, pride, and an unwavering sense of duty. He will be deeply missed by all who have the honor of knowing him.

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Published by Post and Courier - Columbia on Jul. 11, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Dee Albritton

15 Entries

Rick & Anita Hayslip

Yesterday

Your father was such a special person who will always be remembered with love. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Love, Rick & Anita Hayslip

Sally and Eldridge

Yesterday

Dee, will miss talking to you now and again. We had many good rides together with our group.

Your 351st Family

Sent Flowers

Karen Bryant

July 13, 2025

Prayers are with you and your family.

Raymond Van Rees

July 12, 2025

Good friend for thirty plus years. Going to miss our breakfasts at the Waffle House. My sincere condolences to the family.

Crystal Martin

July 12, 2025

I will miss Mr.Dee coming to waffle house. He always had a greeting for everyone and loved to talk about his daughter he was so proud of her we became like his second family I truly cared for him and I will miss him everyday and seeing him coming in with his smile love of music and coffee and conversations. He truly had a heart of gold and will be missed dearly My thoughts and prayers go out to his family

Scott Albritton

July 12, 2025

You will be missed Uncle Dee! Rest in peace .

Larry Fowler

July 12, 2025

I was friends with Dee for many years. We were drill sergeants together at Fort Jackson. He will be missed

Noel Caldwell

July 12, 2025

Dee Albritton was a friend and did tree service for me several times.

Scott Close

July 12, 2025

I worked with Dee in his tree business in high school. I really enjoyed being around him and taught me a lot about working hard to accomplish life´s goals. I was a very shy person when I was younger. I remember one time when we took a lunch break I asked him to order for me at the restaurant. " Scott if you don´t place your order you just have to go hungry the rest of the work day!" over came that real quick. I remember he could strike a conversation with anyone specially with sports. I remember when he got into dirt racing and almost one a race until he let off the gas pedal!! We had some laughs !! My heart goes out to you Dee and my thoughts and prayers for the family!!

Linda Larimore

July 12, 2025

My condolences to the family.

Rick Threatt

July 11, 2025

You could only earn his respect by hard work and dedication. He instilled in us a good work ethic in our time working for his company. He was the only person that could yell at us , anyone else would incur his wrath. He always supported the nobodies the underdogs. He was a true veteran 100% American hero in our books. Dee will be missed by all who knew him and loved him, thanks for always supporting me.

Karen Magee

July 11, 2025

Condolences to the family. I knew Dee from Waffle House.

Debbie Birdsell

July 11, 2025

Keith and I will miss you dearly! You were a great friend to us for many years. Fly high with the angels Dee!

Ben Currin

July 11, 2025

Rest In Peace, my "Drill Sgt. Brother". I will always cherish the times we spent together in the early 70's as very young Drill Sergeants (age20) at Ft Jackson. When we parted ways, in 1975, out friendship remained in tact, as we always stayed in touch, right up till the end, with our last visit being in April, just three months ago..... I look forward in meeting you on the other side someday. RIP

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