David Anthony Tatum, Sr

Mr. David Anthony Tatum, Sr. age 65 of DeFuniak Springs passed away unexpectedly at the family residence. He was born October 7, 1950 in Atlanta, Georgia the son of Willie Clyde Tatum and Margaret Evans Tatum. After completing his formal education David turned his love of automobiles, and engines and racing into his life long profession. For over forty-two years he worked as a mechanic and his wife owned and operated Tatum & Sons Auto Service in Decatur, Georgia. He was a master automobile technician and between his talent and his wife’s management skills together they built a substantial auto service business. Obviously David was an avid Nascar Fan but his greatest love was for road racing. In their retirement years they settled in DeFuniak Springs where he delighted in spending time with his children and especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed Remote Control model airplanes (obviously they have an engine) and liked watching American Pickers on television. David was a dyed in the wool Donald Trump supporter from the very beginning of this term's presidential cycle. All who knew David, knew him as a hard working family man that always provided for his family.

Among survivors are his wife, Rita Barfield Tatum, his step mother (whom he considered his mother) Joanna Tatum; his sons, Dr. David A. Tatum, Jr. and wife Stephanie, Matthew C. Tatum and wife Jill and Joseph M. Tatum and wife Leslie. His brother, Jeff, his sisters, Connie Moor and husband Tim and Cathy Carter and husband Lance; a brother-in-law Bill Barfield and wife Rebecca and two sisters-in –law Wanda Barfield and Linda Best and husband David. Ten grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be held in Decatur, Georgia and interment will be in the family plot in Dawn Memorial Garden in Atlanta, Georgia.