Dee Albritton, Jr.

Dee Albritton, Jr., 73, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of service, strength, and deep devotion to family and country. Born on July 26, 1951, in Donalsonville, Georgia, he was the beloved son of Dee Albritton, Sr. and Eunice O’Hearn and one of three children, alongside Earl Albritton, Patricia Hayslip, and Morgan Hill.

At the young age of 17, Dee answered the call to serve his nation. With his mother’s signature, he enlisted in the United States Army, marking the beginning of a distinguished military journey that would shape the rest of his life. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he turned 18, followed by advanced training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Dee proudly served a tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Infantry Division. Upon returning stateside in December 1970, he attended Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. In 1976, he was stationed in Japan, where he taught at the NCO Training Camp and played as a linebacker for the Army Football Team from 1977 to 1979.

He returned to Fort Jackson in 1979 and continued to serve as a drill sergeant until he transitioned from Sergeant First Class (E7) to civilian life in 1983. Dee founded Albritton Tree Service in 1984, a business he proudly operated until his retirement in 2018.

Dee had a deep love for motorcycles and joined the Iron Riders Motorcycle Club in 2010, later serving as its Retired President and proudly holding Life Member status. A true patriot, he was a dedicated participant in Columbia’s Veterans Day Parades and was always eager to help others, offering both his time and his heart.

He is survived by his two children: Gerald Albritton and Major Dena Ogden of the South Carolina Army National Guard, whom he raised with Geraldine Gallion during their 30-year marriage; grandchildren: Kaleb Albritton and Sierra Ogden; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandson, John Dee Gavin Ogden, whom he will join at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Dee was a man of strength and a joyful spirit, with a voice that could fill any room. He loved gospel music, reading, and home-cooked meals. He never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation with a stranger. He found joy in family gatherings, the roar of a motorcycle engine, and lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Above all, Dee loved God and his country, and he lived each day with purpose, pride, and an unwavering sense of duty.

He will be deeply missed by all who have the honor of knowing him.