Funeral services for Richard Van Eakin, 48, of Climax, will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, at 3 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with Pastor Stanley Phillips officiating.

Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery with Michael Birge, Pud Riley, Chad Whidner, Bill Pickeron, Gordon Renfro and Joey Tomberlin serving as active pallbearers.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., at Cox-Ware Funeral Home.

Born Feb. 17, 1961, in Decatur County, Mr. Eakin died on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at his residence in Climax.

Mr. Eakin was a lifelong resident of Decatur County and was the owner/operator of Eakin Tree Service. He enjoyed raising and showing game fowl and was a member of several bird breeders associations.

Survivors include his mother, Jeanette Chason Eakin of Climax; his wife of 22 years, Sherry Sholar Eakin of Climax; two sons, Richard Eakin and Derrick Eakin, both of Climax; two sisters, Debra King of Donalsonville, Ga., and Kay Clees of Bainbridge; three brothers, Mark Eakin of Bainbridge, and Earl Eakin and Joel Eakin, both of Valdosta, Ga.; 10 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cox-Ware Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.