Albert M. DeWitt

Albert M. DeWitt (September 4, 1947 to December 20, 2021) passed away peacefully at home with his family present. Though he was a retired Memphis Police Department Captain, a retired Marine Corps Reserve Colonel, and a former Commandant, State of Tennessee, Marine Corps League, he will most be remembered as a man who put his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ first, his family second, before all others.

Al was born in Vardaman, Calhoun County, Mississippi, and raised in Memphis, TN. He was an Eagle Scout (Order of the Arrow) and a 1965 graduate of Kingsbury High School, Memphis, TN. After graduation from Memphis State University in 1970, and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he attended The Basic School at Quantico, VA, and Basic Communication Officer's Course. He served with 8th Communication Battalion, Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, NC. After three years of active-duty service, he returned to Memphis.

After 33 years, Al retired as a Captain with the Memphis Police Department, Memphis, TN. He served as a Patrol Officer in Uniform Patrol and Internal Affairs. After promotion to Sergeant, he held various assignments in Special Traffic Investigation Squad, Felony Response Bureau, General Assignment Bureau, and the Homicide Bureau. After promotion to Lieutenant, he served as a shift supervisor in Uniform Patrol at the West Precinct and Northeast Precinct until his retirement in 2008.

Though he left active-duty service, he joined the active Marine Corps Reserve serving with two Memphis-area Marine Reserve units. His first tour was with the 4th Marine Division's infantry company on Jackson Avenue in Memphis with billets as Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Commanding Officer. For his second tour, he was assigned to the 4th Marine Air Wing’s unit at the former NAS Millington, Memphis, with billets as Operations Officer, Commanding Officer, and staff officer for 4th MAW. During his reserve time, he was promoted from Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and up to Colonel before retiring in 1994.

After a short tour with the Tennessee State Guard, in 2010 he joined the Sergeant Walter K. Singleton Detachment 476, Marine Corps League, and served as Junior Vice Commandant, Senior Vice Commandant, Commandant, and Junior Past Commandant. In addition, in June 2019, he was elected as Commandant, State of Tennessee, Marine Corps League (2019-2020).

Al is predeceased by his parents, Bert and Lucy DeWitt. He lived in Bartlett, TN, and was a faithful member of Waypoint Baptist Church (formerly Broadmoor Baptist). He is survived by his wife (Joyce Joyner DeWitt) of 51.5 years, three children USMC Retired LtCol Kevin DeWitt (Christy), Amy Morgan (Jason), MPD Sergeant Stephen DeWitt (Kendall), 12 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, David Alan DeWitt, and his sister, Deborah DeWitt Whaley.

Services. Visitation service will be held at Ellendale Baptist Church (3861 Broadway Rd. Bartlett, TN 38135) on Monday, Dec 27, 2021, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral service will be at Ellendale Baptist on Tuesday, Dec 28, 2021, beginning at 1:00 PM. Gravesite service will be held at funeral service at Memory Hill Gardens (3700 Germantown Rd North, Bartlett, TN 38133).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the DeWitt family.