Donald D. "Don" Rentz

Donald D. Rentz, 88, of Lee County, GA, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2025, at his residence. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Avalon Methodist Church. Rev. Debbie Cone will officiate. Interment will follow in Leesburg Cemetery.

Don was born on April 19, 1937, in Colquitt, GA, to Joe Brown Rentz and Johnnie Williams Rentz. The oldest of four children, he grew up in Bainbridge, GA and graduated from West Bainbridge High School in 1955 where he excelled not only in his studies but also in baseball, basketball and FFA. Don attended South Georgia College and Florida State University before graduating from The University of Georgia School of Law in 1964 with highest honors, first in his class. He clerked for one year for U.S. District Judge J. Robert Elliot in Columbus, GA.

Don moved to Albany, GA, in 1965 and resided in Lee County, GA since 1986. He practiced law for fifty-three years, starting out with Burt & Burt, later Burt, Burt & Rentz before forming Geer & Rentz, with his good friend, Peter Zack Geer, in 1982. Upon the death of his law partner, Don continued as a solo practitioner, representing plaintiffs and defendants throughout the South Georgia area. He transitioned to arbitration and mediation until his retirement in 2017 at the age of 80. He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Dougherty Circuit Bar Association, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the GA Office of Dispute Resolution and the GA Academy of Mediators and Arbitrators.

Don was a member of Avalon Methodist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. He was a former member of the Albany Jaycees and Kiwanis Club.

Don had a great love for the outdoors, especially quail hunting with his bird dogs. He also enjoyed dove shoots and fishing on any moving stream. He particularly enjoyed spending weekends at his cabin fishing on the Kinchafoonee Creek. He hosted many Monday Night Fish Frys , and could draw quite a crowd who came for the food and fellowship. Don was an avid vegetable gardener who enjoyed sharing his produce with others. Affectionately known as “DD,” he treasured his family and closest friends most. He loved cooking and shelling boiled peanuts, shucking oysters and sharing ice cream with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. These moments brought him much joy, delight and love.

Don is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Carolyn Roberts Rentz of Lee County, GA; his children, Carrie (David) Fischer of Marietta, GA, Joe (Tricia) Rentz of Montrose, GA, Dodd (Joy) Rentz of Athens, GA, Karen (Terry) Ho and Terri Newcomb, all of Albany, GA; a brother, Kenneth (Saundra) Rentz of Donalsonville, GA and sister-in-law, Janice Rentz of Albany, GA; twelve grandchildren, Adair Fischer, Flynn Fischer, Lilah Fischer, Caison Alley, Addy Rentz, Lucy Rentz, Bo Rentz, Kaley (Tom) Howard, Collin (Derrick) Ho, Mindi (Tyler) Brown, Katie (T.J.) Faircloth and Rob (Ashley) Newcomb; ten great-grandchildren, Walker, Lindley, Sutton, Rigsby, Laine, Wiley, Shoal, Tucker, Rentz and Rhett.

The family will receive friends Monday from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Mathews Funeral Home.

Those desiring may make memorials in memory of Don to Avalon Methodist Church, 3018 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA, 31721 as well as the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, 1000 Sheriffs Way, Madison, GA 30650.