Funeral service for Retired Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Captain Howard Eugene Battles, 69, of Decatur, will be Wednesday June 7, 2017 at Ridout’s Brown-Service Funeral Home at 3:00pm in Decatur with Matt Nail officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
Capt. Battles passed June 4th 2017 in the arms of his loving wife in his home. He was born November 28, 1947 in Decatur, Alabama to Howard Newton Battles and Wanda Craig Battles. He was a 26-year veteran of law enforcement with a long record of leadership and achievement that began with his service to the Decatur Police Department in 1971. He pursued this career in the spirit of his belief in service, which is reflected in one of his favorite statements to quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
He loved watching his children and grandchildren grow up, and in his free time, he greatly enjoyed collecting records and listening to music (especially the Eagles), reading, and admiring antique cars at shows around North Alabama. Although a graduate of eastern Kentucky University, when it came to college football, he was an Auburn University fan through and through – especially after living and doing business there as a skating rink operator for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Gerita Battles, five daughters, Lori Brannon (Ricky), Lana Leal (Greg), Lisa Battles, Heather Millwood, and Bebe Battles Russell (Paul), three sons, Beau Battles, Buckston Lee Battles (Megan), and Adam Millwood, two brothers, Don Battles (Billie) and Stephen Battles, one sister, Sue Battles Barnett, nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter.
Pallbearers will be Greg, Bartlett, Jody Pangle, Michael Hunt, Doug Key, David Carroll, and John Bardford and honorary pallbearers, Bill Rhegness and Bubba Price.
In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made to: St. Jude Children’s research Hospital in his honor.
