Alfred Douglas Hargrove, Jr.

Alfred “Al” Douglas Hargrove

December 21, 1942 – April 3, 2026

Alfred “Al” Douglas Hargrove, a devoted husband, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, decorated veteran, and accomplished engineer, passed away April 3, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 7th at 2:00 PM at Aldridge Funeral Home with visitation to follow.

Al was born on December 21, 1942, and grew up to live a life defined by service, hard work, and an unshakeable love for his family. He attended Middle Georgia College, where he played baseball before going on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University in 1967. Following graduation, he began his engineering career with the Tennessee Valley Authority before answering his country’s call when he enrolled in the United States Army in 1968.

Al completed basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, before advancing to Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Al was stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, where he served as a training officer, preparing soldiers for service in Vietnam. He then completed a tour of duty in Vietnam from early 1970 to 1971, serving with distinction as a military advisor to the South Vietnamese forces. For his courage and service, he was awarded the Bronze Star. He concluded his military career having risen to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Returning stateside after his service, Al rejoined the Tennessee Valley Authority, continuing his work as a civil engineer before eventually making his way back home to Americus, Georgia. There he worked alongside his sister Harriet and brother-in-law Buzzy Smith on their family farm, and in time also took on his own farming operation. He subsequently served as a crop insurance adjuster with Cotton States until 1985. He then joined the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia as an Environmental Engineer, a position he held with dedication until his retirement in 2005.

Upon retirement, Al devoted himself to caring for his beloved father-in-law, W.W. Foy — a testament to the quiet loyalty and devotion that defined him as a man and as a member of his family.

In the years that followed, Al found his greatest joy in the simple pleasures of life — the hum of a lawnmower on a summer afternoon, an unhurried afternoon of pond fishing, and the roar of a crowd at his grandchildren’s sporting events. He had a well-documented talent for aggravating his wife, Carole — a pastime he pursued with remarkable enthusiasm and, by all accounts, genuine affection. Carole was, without question, the love of his life.

Al Hargrove was a man who served his country with valor, provided for his family with integrity, and met each day with quiet purpose and a little mischief. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his wife, Carole Foy Hargrove of Americus; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marci Hargrove Thompson (Ryan) of Albany, Libby Hargrove Brown (Kaine) of Cobb and a son Wesley Douglas Hargrove of Americus. Mr. Hargrove is also survived by one sister Harriet Hargrove Smith of Americus and thirteen grandchildren Natalie Crosby (Bryan), Jonathan Gilliam (Magan), Taylor Kelley (Devin), Gray Rowe (Sandy), Bailey Butler (Trey), Addison Pieplow, Harley Hargrove, Daniel Taylor, Chad Hargrove, Kaylee Huffman, Patrick Thompson (Ann), Katelyn Brown, Kameron Brown and fifteen great grandchildren with another great grandchild due in August of this year.