Gerald (Dob) Michael Fender, 67, of Nashville, died Saturday January 7, 2023, following a lengthy illness, at SGMC in Valdosta.

Dob was born March 2, 1955 to the late Wallace Fender and the late Virginia Fay Brown Fender. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed camping on the Altamaha River with his wife, children and many beloved friends. He was a free spirit and a very simple man. Dob retired from Amoco Fabrics in 1993 and Cooper Tire and Rubber, Albany in 2009. He enjoyed gardening with his mother during all seasons. He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents: Otis and Jeffie Brown; paternal grandparents: John and Angie Swain Warren Fender; brother-in-law: Ron Wells; 2 very special friends: Joey Watson and Wayne Rice.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years: Billie Jean (Kokotis) Fender of Nashville; 2 sons: Michael (Lisa) Fender of Nashville and Mark (Jennifer) Fender of Tifton; 8 grandchildren: Bree Trowell, Coy Giddens, Cash Fender, Gloria Fender, Justin Fender, Taylor Fender all of Nashville, Angela Kessler and Alice Jean Fender both of Tifton; twin great grandsons: Bo and Luke Giddens; 3 sisters: Wanda (Derrell) Friar of Leesburg, Freida (Ron) Hamby of Nashville and Dr. Judy (John) Wells of Decatur; sister-in-law: Brenda Young of Ray City; numerous nieces, nephews and beloved friends.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 11, 2023 at 11 AM in the Chapel of Lovein Funeral Home with the Rev. Daniel Dean officiating. Interment will follow in the Poplar Springs cemetery in the Wallace and Virginia Fender family plot. Visitation is Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM in the funeral home. His request was to have an informal service with Georgia attire and blue jeans.