David "Dave" Agler, age 78, of Alpharetta, Georgia passed away on Sunday, April 14th. Dave was born on May 3, 1945 in Canton, Ohio, the son of Donald and Lucille (Fisher) Agler. Dave married Meredith Johnson on October 9, 1965 in Ohio. The marriage was blessed with three children: Gwen, James, and Scott. Dave lived in Parma, Ohio with his wife, Meredith, for 10 years and his three children were born there.
In 1979, the family moved to Alpharetta, Georgia, and loved their new church home at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church. Dave worked for AT&T for most of his career and retired from Nokia as a computer programmer.
Dave served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was based in the Philippines. During boot camp at Parris Island, Dave was in the 2nd battalion where he shot as a marksman. While Dave was in the Corps he met Don Clermont, who became his life-long friend.
Dave loved model trains and had his very own extensive collection and track, which he modified often. His favorite railway was Wheeling & Lake Erie as this operated near his hometown of Beach City, Ohio. Many family vacations were centered around the NMRA's (National Model Railroad Association) annual conventions, the most memorable being the "great trip west" which took the family from Ohio through several states and arriving at the convention in Denver, Colorado in 1977. Dave and Meredith were brave souls bringing along all three of their very young children at the time: Gwen (8), Jamie (5), and Scott (1).
Dave also loved reading, especially World War II history. He also loved to read science fiction and encouraged his kids in this genre. Among his favorite science fiction authors was Robert Heinlein.
Dave served for a number of years as a Boy Scout Troop Leader both in Parma, Ohio and in Alpharetta, Georgia. He encouraged countless boys in his troops over Dave's many years of service to the Scouts.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Donald Agler, and his brother, Thomas Agler. His friend, Don Clermont, also preceded him in death. Dave is survived by his three children, Gwen (Randy) Wyles of Grandview, Tennessee, James (Tanya) Agler of Woodstock, Georgia, and Scott Agler of Lula, Georgia; his daughter-in law, Megan; and his 10 grandchildren, Ellie Agler, Alison Peterson, Sarah Peterson, Logan Agler, Michael Agler, Hannah Agler, Carrie Agler, Matthew Agler, Corbin Agler, and Kyle Agler.
The visitation for Dave Agler will take place from six to eight o'clock in the evening on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at the Northside Chapel at 12050 Crabapple Rd. Roswell, Georgia. The funeral service will be held the following day, Friday, April 19, 2023 with a visitation hour at 10 o'clock in the morning and the funeral service at 11 o'clock. A reception will follow at Alpharetta Methodist Church located at 69 North Main Street, Alpharetta GA 30009.
A private family only interment will take place in the Georgia National Cemetery at a later time.
Please visit www.northsidechapel.com to share memories and leave condolences to the family.