Dr. Irving deGaris, Jr., age 88 of Carrollton, Georgia died Saturday, July 20, 2013. Dr. deGaris was a native of Decatur, Georgia born April 26, 1925, the son of the late Irving deGaris, Sr. and Frances Brown deGaris. He graduated from Decatur Boys High School in 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II being discharged in August 1945. He attended Emory University and received his Bachelors degree in Science. After graduation he entered Emory University Dental School receiving a DDS in 1951. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Chi fraternity and Xi Psi Phi Dental fraternity at Emory University. After graduating from dental school, Dr. deGaris established his practice in Carrollton, Georgia. He was a member and former President of the Northwestern Dental Society, American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Price Favehard Academy, founding member of the West Georgia Dental Study Group, charter member and President of the Georgia Academy of Dental Practice, member and former President of the Flying Dentist Association, former member of Golden K, staff member of Tanner Memorial Hospital, and retired America Dental Association life member. He served on the Georgia Board of Dental Examiner from January 1977 until October 1981. Dr. deGaris was a long time member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and former member of the Vestry of St. Margaret's. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting sports and flying. He held single engine land, commercial instrument ratings and was a certified flight instructor. He is survived by his wife, Reba Hollingsworth deGaris; sons, Irving deGaris, III, Benjamin deGaris of Carrollton; daughter, Rebecca (Nate) Woody of Boone, North Carolina; grandsons, Jackson (Alexis) deGaris of Jacksonville, Florida, Nicolas and Jacob Woody of Boone, North Carolina; special family, Alicia and Justin Ward, Jacob, Noah and Grace of Charleston, South. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Atherton Clement. The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home on Sunday, July 21 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Funeral service will be Monday, July 22 at 2 p.m. at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church with the Very Reverend Hazel S. Glover, Rev. Robert Fowler and Rev. Don Harrison officiating. Pallbearers will be Jackson deGaris, Nicolas Woody, Jacob Woody, Dan Williamson, Ronnie Smith and Dr. Jack Birge. Honorary pallbearers will be fellow dentists and associates. Interment will be in Carroll Memory Gardens with American Legion Post #143 providing military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 606 Newnan Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30117 or to the charity of your choice. Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com. Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.