David Verlin Tranter

Published 7:41 pm Tuesday, May 22, 2012

David Verlin Tranter, 54, of Clanton died at his home on May 9, 2012, following an extended illness. He was born in Chicago and raised in a military family, living across the United States, the son of the late LTC Verlin Borton Tranter and Mrs. Beverly (Manley) Tranter of Wichita, Kan.

Prior to his illness, he served as deputy attorney general and general counsel for the Alabama Emergency Management Agency under former Gov. Bob Riley. He personally handled the legal, political and legislative issues arising from three federally declared disasters rising from Hurricane(s) Ivan, Dennis and Katrina. Based on his knowledge of emergency management law, he became a featured conference speaker and guest lecturer across the country. Eventually, he opened a law practice in North Alabama, specializing in government, domestic, real estate, employment and probate law. He was founder and CEO of Agape Title Corporation, and co-founder of Alpha Omega Mortgage Company in Decatur. He was a nationally recognized Emergency 911 instructor and consultant.

Before moving to Alabama, he was a police officer in Lakeland, Fla. for seven years, where he met his cherished late wife, Della Jo Tranter. He was a hostage negotiator for the Lakeland SWAT Team. He received his BA in political science from Athens State University and his JD from Jones Law School. He was a member of the National Christian Legal Society, the National Emergency Management Association (Legal Counsel Committee) and the Alabama Bar Association.

Left to cherish loving memories are his mother, Beverly Jean Tranter of Wichita, Kan.; his sisters, Mrs. Grace Diane Tranter Jerome of Lebanon, N.H. and Mrs. Shari Lynn (Tranter) Detrick of Wichita, Kan.; his stepsons, Greg and Kenneth James of Florida; a stepdaughter, Heather (James) Jones of Huntsville; his beloved girlfriend, Sandi Johnson of Tallassee; and David’s lifelong best friend and Christian brother, Anthony Bernard of Roswell, Ga.; as well as several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held in his honor at 11 a.m., Friday, May 25 at Spirit Walk Ministries in Prattville, with interment to follow at Hartselle City Cemetery.

Martin Funeral Home directing.