Dr. Thomas Gower Latimer died August 25, 2026, at the age of 89. He was born in Vidalia, Georgia in December 1936, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Gower Latimer (Reba).

He loved most his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His Christian faith and active participation in local churches were the core of who he was as a human being. His roles and actions as a son, husband, father, grandfather, great uncle and as a friend derived from those core beliefs.

Thomas and Carolyn Cripps met in Lagrange, GA and there began a 53-year marriage. They forged a life built upon faith, family, and service. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father.

He grew up in Sylvester, GA and graduated from Sylvester High School in 1955. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1959 to 1965. In preparation for his career as a teacher, Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in 1960 and master’s in 1966 from Georgia Southern College. He began his teaching career in Cairo, Ga and taught in several Georgia school districts before accepting a professorship at West Virginia Tech University. He simultaneously completed his doctoral studies at North Carolina State University, earning his Ed.D. in Industrial Arts Education in 1974.

Following a devastating earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, Thomas and Carolyn, and their two young children David and Lynn, served as missionaries in Costa Rica and Nicaragua during 1975-76, focusing on teaching and reconstruction of homes. In 1977, Thomas and Carolyn returned to Sylvester, GA, in Worth County to continue their careers as Georgia public educators. Thomas was the Vocational Supervisor and an Assistant Principal at Worth County High School until he retired in 2001, marking an impressive career of over 40 years serving Georgia students and communities. During his career, he managed highly successful vocational education programs and shared his love of woodworking and industrial arts with all of his students.

In Sylvester, Thomas was an active member of the Pinson United Methodist Church, where he served in various leadership roles. He also enjoyed time at the First Baptist Church in town, where his father, Gower, had served as pastor during his childhood. With the churches a mere block apart, on many Sundays, he attended services at both. After he and Carolyn moved in 2008 to be close to their children in north Georgia, he was active at Monroe First United Methodist Church.

Thomas applied his knowledge of and gifts in carpentry to projects with Constructors for Christ, Habitat for Humanity, and to post-flood relief in Worth County in 1994. In Monroe, through the Fish Ministry, he helped to provide repurposed clothes and furnishings to local families in need.

Thomas Latimer was a consummate narrator of the southern yarn. He had an amazing, joyful sense of humor and thrived upon collecting and telling jokes. In addition to woodworking, he enjoyed cooking, gardening, gospel music, the Grand Ole Opry, and star-gazing. He even organized community viewings of Halley’s Comet in 1986. At the heart of all of these passions was his fervor for sharing experiences and laughs with others.

He is preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Cripps Latimer, parents Gower and Reba (Thomas) Latimer, and infant sister Miriam.

He is survived by his son Dr. David G. Latimer of Athens, GA; daughter Lynn Wilson, her husband Jon, and granddaughter Faith Wilson of Jefferson, GA; brother John Latimer (Mandy) of Watkinsville, GA; nieces/nephews Randy Latimer, Sam Terry, Zoe Latimer, Daniel Latimer, and Evie Terry; cousin Walt Thomas; and brother-in-law Jim Cripps.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Center Pointe Church, Hoschton, GA. Family will receive friends from 10:00-10:45 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pinson Memorial Church, 109 East Pope Street, Sylvester, GA 31791; First Baptist Church, 207 N Isabella St, Sylvester GA 31791; Monroe First United Methodist Church, 400 South Broad Street, Monroe, GA 30655; or Center Pointe Church, 7641 Jackson Trail Rd, Hoschton GA 30548.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, East, Athens, GA is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com