John Kirkland Thomas

Mr. John Kirkland Thomas passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2013 following an extended illness. He was surrounded by his family at home. He was born on January 31, 1935 in Troup County, Ga. He was the only child of Sophie Dial Thomas and Lee Alga Thomas. He was the grandson of Jennie Bevis Dial and Joseph Franklin Dial and Maggie Williams Thomas and Virgil Lee Thomas. John’s roots to Coweta County extend to its earliest days. His great-great grandfather moved to the Welcome community in 1843. From that point on, each generation of the Dial family was born in Coweta. John was a loving husband of 48 years to his devoted wife, Jean. Together they raised their four daughters, guiding and supporting them in their individual endeavors and serving as Christian examples. Family was of utmost importance to John, and he cherished times together with immediate and extended family. He enjoyed sharing his experiences and always had a humorous story to tell. John was a great communicator and was always able to connect with people from all walks of life. He enjoyed strong and enduring friendships with many people. A child of the Great Depression, John and his family had little in material wealth. However, they enjoyed a simple way of life: hunting, fishing, and farming. John’s earliest days were filled with memories of family, Grand Ole Opry on the radio, and simple meals. As a child and young man, he learned about sacrifice and overcoming adversity. John was baptized on May 7, 1950, at First Baptist Church, Hogansville, Ga. John attended Hogansville High School and was voted most intellectual of his senior class. He was an Honor Graduate of the class of 1953 and a member of the Beta Club and Track Team. John learned the value of hard work from an early age. He started his first official job in 1951 at Colonial Stores in Hogansville. He was employed at the Kroger Company from 1954 to 1965. John’s career with Kroger brought him to Newnan in 1955. He also worked at First National Bank in downtown Newnan. John had a lifelong love of learning. Although his economic circumstances prevented him from becoming a traditional college student, he was able to enroll in West Georgia College in 1961, at the age of 26. He graduated in 1965 with a degree in psychology, having worked his way through school. Upon graduation from West Georgia, John taught at Western High School for the 1965-1966 school year, where he was selected Western’s STAR Teacher. He counted among his friends many former students. He was active in educational organizations, serving as Vice President of the Coweta Education Association and as a member of the Parent Teacher Association. He made an unsuccessful bid for School Board in the 1960s. Once his children were school-aged, he continued his involvement in education by serving as President of the Parent-Teacher Organization at Elm Street School. In 1966, John began a 20-year career at American Can Company, later James River Corporation. He worked in various positions, from customer service to quality control. He worked as an Industrial Engineer and as a scheduler. In 1985, John began a new phase of his career by becoming a restaurateur. He became owner of Wishbone Fried Chicken. In that role, he enjoyed running his own business, greeting customers, and working with his family. John was active in local politics. He served on the City of Newnan’s Board of Zoning and Appeals, being named Member Emeritus of that board in 1998. He was Co-Chairman of the Coweta Democratic Party in 1976. In that capacity, he travelled to Washington, D.C., to witness Georgia’s Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. John was elected Deacon at Providence Baptist Church in 1964. He was actively involved in that congregation, serving in various leadership positions. John and Jean joined First Baptist Church, Newnan in 1969 where they and their four daughters developed many relationships and grew in their faith. John met his future wife, Jean Shoffeitt, in 1963. They married on June 6, 1965, in Auburn, Ala. They were proud parents to four daughters: Sandra Lynne, Mary Beth, Carol Leigh, and Jennifer Kay. As a busy husband and father, John always made time for his girls, including them in family decisions and instilling in them his and Jean’s work ethic. He was a good provider for his family, working hard at the many jobs he held over the years. He was involved in many entrepreneurial opportunities, including real estate. The family appreciates Dr. Stan Smith’s compassion as he managed John’s care for the last fifteen years. Also, the family thanks the many caregivers, especially Tonya White, Carol Herring, Rosemarie Bass, and Carol Parks for their dedication. In addition, the family acknowledges Jan Pence and Affinis Hospice for their devotion. John Kirkland Thomas is survived by his wife, Jean Shoffeitt Thomas, of Newnan; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandi and Jim Moody of Peachtree City, Beth and Lee Barnett of Newnan, Carol and Robert Cantrell of Newnan, and Kay and Ryan Wilson of Seneca, S.C.; grandchildren, Rebecca Lauren and Ashley Claire Moody, Thomas Clark and Jackson Cline Barnett, John Robert and Jacob Thomas Cantrell, and Jenna Lynn, Mary Brooks, and Turner Law Wilson. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, from 6-8 p.m. at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St, Newnan. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, Newnan, with Dr. Jimmy Patterson and Dr. Ryan Wilson officiating. A private interment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those desiring may make donations in John’s memory to the Benevolence Committee of First Baptist Church, Newnan, 15 West Washington Street, Newnan, Ga. 30263. McKoon Funeral Home (770) 253-4580

John Kirkland Thomas

January 31, 1935 - November 16, 2013