Donald Ledford

Donald Lee Ledford, 83, of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away October 28, 2025, in Northeast Georgia Medical Center. He was born on February 19, 1942, in Blairsville, Georgia to the late Ezra and Juanita Ledford. He was raised in a loving family where he was taught strong, Christian values.

As a child he went to Ivy Log Baptist Church and received awards for perfect Sunday School attendance. He accepted Christ in 1994 at the Billy Graham Crusade in Atlanta, Georgia.

Growing up, Donnie was known for his ability to work on and trade bicycles and motorcycles. Years later, he would spend hours alongside his brother, Gary, working on cars and taking them to the drag strip.

He was a 1960 graduate of Union County High School and soon after joined the US Army. He was stationed in Germany with the Army Engineer Corps. He would become an expert Marksman and achieved Soldier of the Month many times.

After the Army, he worked at Lockheed until he joined the Sheetmetal Local Union 85 apprentice program in Atlanta. While in the program, he won first place in a national project competition and went on to successfully complete the program. He worked in the sheetmetal field for many years and eventually went into test and balance of air and hydronic systems.

He owned Specialty Sheetmetal Systems in Doraville, Georgia and moved the company to Blairsville in 2004. He retired in 2019. After retirement, he enjoyed life back on the family farm where he grew up in the Ivy Log community.

He is preceded in death by his son, Andy, brother, Jimmy, and sister, Brenda.

He is survived by Yvonne, his loving wife of 48 years, son, Nathaniel and wife Morgan, sister, Patricia Teague, brothers, Keith and Gary, grandson, Ethan, granddaughter, Addison and many extended family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home, with Jarred Coleman officiating. Music will be provided by Jessica Coleman. The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Cochran McDaniel Funeral Home on Saturday, November 1st, 2025. Interment will follow at Ivy Log Baptist Church, with a graveside service led by David Howell. Military Honors will be presented by the North Georgia Honor Guard.

The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers; Warren Ingram, Nathan McClure, Jason Belcher, Larry Turner, Garry Turner, and Clint Seabolt.

Don will be missed and will be remembered for his many talents, quick wit, and loving kindness..

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Andrew Ledford Memorial Fund or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.