Mr. Hugh Walter Headrick, age 94, of LaGrange, passed away on Dec. 4, 2017, at the WellStar West Georgia Hospice.

Mr. Headrick was born on Oct. 6, 1923, in Morristown, Tennessee, to the late Sarah Letha Morell Headrick and Joe Straley Headrick. His school years were spent in Erwin, Tennessee. He was called to the U. S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and flew 59 missions in Europe as a P-47 fighter pilot before returning to Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tennessee. There he met Getta Allen, whom he married in 1947, and graduated as permanent class president in 1949. He was director of college public relations and worked temporarily as a reporter/sports editor of a daily newspaper while a student. In 1945, Mr. Headrick joined the Tucker Wayne and Company Advertising Agency (later West/Wayne), Atlanta, as a copywriter. He advanced to Senior Vice President over all creative and production functions and head of the forward planning unit as the agency became the largest based in the South. Mr. Headrick served as judge for national television, magazine, newspaper and direct marketing advertising competitions and on seminar panels. He was listed in “Who’s Who in the South and Southeast” and “Who’s Who in Advertising.” He resigned from the agency in 1970 to pursue other interests. He was elected an Elder in Atlanta’s Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church in 1964. He served in various capacities there and after retirement at Dahlonega (GA) Presbyterian Church. Also in Dahlonega. He was the director of Habitat for Humanity treasurer, CEO of the Board and along with his wife, an honorary lifetime member of the Lumpkin County Historical Society. The couple moved to LaGrange in 2002 to be close to their son and his family. Here he and his wife found new friends and opportunities to serve at the First Presbyterian Church and in the community.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Getta Allen Headrick; son, Mark Headrick (Pat) of LaGrange; daughter, Patti Kerr (Don) of Alford, Florida; grandson, Matthew Headrick (Nicole); granddaughters, Bethany Headrick-Bailey (Rob) and Madeline Headrick Smith (McCord); great-grandchildren, River, Hope and Hunter Headrick, Tolan, Lennon and Stella Bailey; sister, Mary Wheeless of Lakeland, Florida; extended family.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to First Presbyterian Youth Ministries or Tusculum College. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.higginsfuneralhomes.com. Higgins LaGrange Chapel, (706) 884-7117.