SFC (Ret.) Allen Hazelip, age 64, resident of Columbus, Georgia passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at his residence.  Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM with Pastor Matt Stephens officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Alabama at 2:30 p.m. (EST)

Mr. Hazelip, son of the late Jerry William Hazelip and Christine Gibson Schwab, was born February 25, 1955 in Cincinnati, Ohio. After graduating in 1973 from Deer Park High School in Cincinnati, he joined the U.S. Army where he served his country honorably for 20 years.  During his distinguished military career, he served in Operation Just Cause in Panama. During his tenure, Mr. Hazelip received numerous medals and ribbons to include the

Overseas Service Ribbon

Army Service Ribbon

NCO Professional Development Ribbon

National Defense Service Medal

Good Conduct Medal

Army Achievement Medal

Army Commendation Medal

Expert Infantry Badge

Expert Marksmanship Badge

Combat Infantry Badge

After retiring from the military, he began a career with Home Quarters, in the Lawn and Garden Center and then began working with Alternative Contracting doing work on Fort Benning.

Allen worked in the Muscogee County School District starting first at Hardaway High School working with children with special needs. He was then put in charge of the in-school suspension program.

While working with the MCSD he attended and graduated from Troy University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Education. After graduation he briefly taught at South Girard Junior High School in Phenix City and then moved to PCIS in Phenix City. After PCIS he became a substitute teacher for the Muscogee Country School District working in schools all over the city before getting a job at Double Churches Middle School overseeing the in-school suspension program. There he was able to teach and help kids in many different subjects. There were times when kids would prefer to be in his classroom instead of a normal classroom setting.

Mr. Hazelip enjoyed gardening and working outdoors, and particularly loved teaching and assisting students. The family remembers him as a man who loved fiercely. He was a headstrong and stubborn person who would do anything for anyone without question nor expectation.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Hazelip.  He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Lisa Gay Hazelip; two sons, Andy Hazelip and his wife Casey of Columbus and Chris Hazelip and his wife Brooke of Phenix City, Alabama; two sisters, Debbie and Pixie of Ohio; two grandsons, Micah Kerry and Jayden Kerry and many other relatives and friends.