Funeral services for retired Lt. Col. Doyce W. Ariail Jr., 71, of Climax, Ga., will be held Wednesday, April 8, at 4 p.m. at Climax United Methodist Church with the Revs. Lynn Hurley and Wayne MacDonald officiating.

Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery with full military honors, with retired Lt. Col. Thomas Ariail, Donal “Chip” Ariail, Scott Ariail, Patrick Ariail, Thommy Ariail, Howard Newberry and Bobby Palmer serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Climax United Methodist Men.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cox-Ware Funeral Home Chapel.

Born Sept. 4, 1937, in Greenville, S.C., Lt. Col. Ariail died at his residence in Climax on Sunday, April 5, 2009.

Lt. Col. Ariail graduated from Sevier County High School in Sevierville, Tenn., and Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. He served 20 years in the U.S. Army, including two years in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit medals. He was a member of Climax United Methodist Church, Climax United Methodist Men, Climax Community Club, the Decatur County Veterans Memorial Committee and the Cedar Grove Cemetery Committee. He initiated the display of U.S. flags in Climax, and was active in Flag Day ceremonies in Climax. He also carried the Olympic Torch of the 1996 Olympic Games. He received a citation from the governor for his work with youth sports and a portion of U.S. 84 is named “Lt. Col. Doyce Ariail Highway.”

Memorial contributions may be made of ALS of Georgia or to Wiregrass Hospice, 432 E. Shotwell St., Bainbridge, GA 39819.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Newberry Ariail of Climax; four sons, retired Lt. Col. Thomas W. Ariail and his wife, Shari, of Dunwoody, Ga., Donal “Chip” Ariail and his wife, Lisa of Bainbridge, Ga., Scott Ariail and his wife, Anda, of Orlando, Fla., and Patrick Ariail and his wife, Tracy, of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Ellouise Whaley and her husband, Paul, of Knoxville, Tenn.; a brother; Tommy Ariail and his wife, Lawana, of Spartanburg, S.C.; six grandchildren, Issabelle, Madeline, Amaia, Ovella, Isa and Gaius Ariail; and many nieces and nephews.

Cox-Ware Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.