David S. Babylon, Jr.
September 4, 1923 – August 22, 2006
Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home
91 Willis Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-848-3933 Fax 410-876-3284
David Snider Babylon, Jr., 82, died at his home on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, after an extended illness.
Born on September 4, 1923 in Westminster, MD, he was the son of the late D. Snider Babylon and Marion Cover Babylon. He and G. Evelyn Fluck Babylon were married October 16, 1948 by her father, the Reverend Dr. William A. Fluck, in Hatfield, PA.
Mr. Babylon was a 1941 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy. He was one of the youngest Captains commissioned in the U. S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Gettysburg College in January 1948 with a BA degree in Economics.
After graduation, he continued in a business, Cunocar Bookkeeping Service, begun in his college years. Many in Westminster have fond memories of Mr. Babylon’s green “office-on-wheels,” in which he would travel from business to business. He sold his business in 1986, to retire, travel, and enjoy his family and friends. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his home on Willis Street.
Much of life was dedicated to public service. He joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 on June 1st, 1949. Serving in the fire department was one of the passions in his life. He served for many years as secretary/treasurer. Some members still recall how he stopped by the station every morning to “match for coffee” – flipping a 1923 silver dollar.
Mr. Babylon served as a Westminster Common Councilman for 25 years, from 1964 to 1989; at which time, he retired. For 16 of those years, he served as the Common Council President as did his grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, in 1898 and 1899.
Mr. Babylon was a member of Carroll Post 31 American Legion for over 60 years, as well as a member of the Westminster Elks Lodge 2277, and a member and past president of the Westminster Lions Club for over 50 years, for which he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1994. He was a member and past president of the Westminster Riding Club; of which his sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon was a founding member.
He was also an active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Carroll Street in Westminster as was his family for two previous generations.
As a business professional, Mr. Babylon served as President and board member of the Westminster Hardware Company for many years. He served as a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Carroll County Bank and Trust Company from 1961 until 1999 as well as Mason-Dixon Bancshares from 1991 to 1999. His grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon and father, D. Snider Babylon, also served as President of the Westminster Hardware Company and as a Director and President of the Westminster Savings Bank, the predecessor of Carroll County Bank & Trust.
He was on the Board of Directors of Piney Branch Golf & Country Club, the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation for Bowling Brook School and the Albaugh and Babylon Grocery Co.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, their spouses and six grandchildren. Marian Babylon Rognlien and her husband, Ronald L. Rognlien and daughter, Marnie, of Nokesville, VA. Col. William T. Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and his wife, Lt. Col. Patricia Jean Cronen Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and their children, Franklin Thomas and his fiancé, Rosalena Magroski; Elizabeth Anne; and David Snider Babylon III, of Anchorage, AK. Caroline Babylon and her husband, Kevin Dayhoff, of Westminster, MD. Sarah Babylon Dorrance and children Jamie and Melissa, of Mount Airy, MD.
He was predeceased by his stepmother, Caroline Billingslea Babylon, sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon, brother Thomas Cover Babylon, and son-in-law James Dorrance.
The family will receive friends at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home at 91 Willis Street, Westminster, MD from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, Friday, August 25. The Westminster Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 8:15 p.m. Friday evening, August 25.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street in Westminster at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 with the Reverend David B. Helfrich officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service at Grace Lutheran Church. Entombment will be private at the family mausoleum at Krider’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evelyn and David S. Babylon Community Fund, c/o The Carroll Community Foundation, 255 Clifton Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.
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