Neal A. Bonds

Neal Addison Bonds, age 83, passed away March 15, 2020 at home after a long illness.
He was born February 8, 1937, in Sand Springs, Oklahoma to Lucy Wade Bonds and Leon Bonds. They moved back to Thomaston, Georgia, when he was six months old where he grew up. While in Thomaston he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 25 and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from R. E. Lee Institute, attended Auburn University, and was a veteran of the United States Navy.
During the time he was in the Navy, he married Elaine McLaughlin Bonds in 1958, and they lived in several states during his tour of duty, with most of it served in Patuxent River, Maryland. After he was discharged from the U. S. Navy in 1962, Neal, Elaine and their children moved to Griffin, Georgia where he was employed by Georgia Department of Transportation until his retirement after almost 35 years.
Neal volunteered and coached boys in baseball, basketball, and football for many years with the Griffin-Spalding Recreation Department and was appointed to several County and City boards or committees. He was a member and past president of the Jaycees, charter member and past president of the Spalding County Kiwanis Club and a past member of Free & Accepted Mason's Meridian Sun Lodge No. 26. He was Worshipful Master in 1969. He was a member of Griffin First Baptist Church.
Being an only child and losing his father at an early age, having a family was very important to him. He was so talented at playing with children and enjoyed and loved his children, the grandchildren and especially their summer visits, and later playing with his great grandchildren. He enjoyed playing golf and the friends he made.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Elaine McLaughlin Bonds; daughter and son-in-law Bonnie Bonds Griggs and Paul Griggs of Dublin, Georgia; son and daughter-in-law, James (Jim) Neal Bonds and Doris Grayson Bonds of York, SC. He is also survived by granddaughter Leigh Anne Griggs Bennett and her husband, Hunter, of Dublin, GA; grandsons, Andrew (Drew) Neal Griggs, Sr. and wife, Ciara of Dublin, James Kyle Bonds and wife, Kelsey, of Newnan, Thomas Neal Bonds and Nathan Wade Bonds, both of Texas; 5 great-grandchildren, Marshall, Griggs, and Mary Blythe Bennett and Andrew and Hank Griggs, all of Dublin. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and their husbands. Debbie McLaughlin Moore and Jim Moore; Jamie McLaughlin Oglesbee and Randy Oglesbee, all Of Thomaston. One niece and 3 nephews also survive.
As was his request, he will be cremated and In light of the current health situation in our world, the family has decided to hold the private family service. And Interment at Southview Cemetery in Thomaston. In lieu of flowers, those that would like to make a contribution, please make donations in Memory of Neal A. Bonds to Boy Scouts of American, Flint River Council, 1361 Zebulon Road, Griffin, GA 30224 or call in your donation to 770-227-4556

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