It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of David Zadok Aldrich, of Patterson Friday, November 7, 2025, at the age of 85.
He was born at home to Floyd and Arabel (Howard) Aldrich August 12, 1940.
He grew up in Pierce County and made Patterson his home. He graduated from Patterson High School and attended South Georgia College in Douglas. He was a regional manager for several companies including W.T Grants, TG&Y, and he was also an Independent Life Insurance agent. His duties as a manager often included opening new stores all around the south.
He was a happy guy and loved life and all that it included. He was a believer and often shared the origins of his Biblical name. He loved to go fishing and was willing to go at the drop of a hat. All that knew him knew that he loved to eat, especially pound cake. He was famous for frying turkeys and giving them away at holiday time. He was skilled at dancing and excelled at ballroom dancing. His many hobbies included genealogy, crossword puzzles, watching the Georgia Bulldogs play, reading the newspaper and watching and playing Jeopardy in his living room. He was a lifelong learner and kept his mind sharp with his many interests.
He was preceded by his parents, Floyd and Arabell Howard Aldrich; sisters Janette Aldrich, Ouida Henderson and Janice Young; son, Charles King; the mother his children, Doris Griffin Aldrich; and his sister and brothers-in-law, Wanda Steedley and Winton, Franklin, Talmadge, Dave and Justin Griffin.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Jeff Aldrich (Michelle), Blackshear and Joe King, Statesboro; daughter-in-law, Theresa King, Baxley; grandchildren, Cami Aldrich Herrington (Alex), Califf Aldrich (Carlie Wilson), Joanna King, Brianna King Lang and Brian King; a great grandchild, Katherine Elizabeth Herrington; three sisters-in-law, Becky Bolden, Blackshear and Sharon Bateson and Mary Griffin, both of Waycross and a brother-in-law, Ben (Robin) Griffin, Waycross. He loved his family. He will be missed by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and his many friends.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, from the Pearson-Dial Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment will be in the Laura Chapel Cemetery.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff of Memorial Satilla Health’s PCU and ICU departments for their care and compassion shown to Zadok.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Aldrich family during this time.
