Mr. John F. Barksdale

John Franklin Barksdale, 80, passed away on Tuesday, July 19 after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. John was born in Ocala, Florida, December 20, 1935 to Virgil Leondrus Barksdale and Elizabeth Smith Barksdale. He graduated from Ocala High School. He attended South Georgia College on a football scholarship and later attended Georgia State University. He proudly served his country as a member of the U. S. Air Force, serving for four years. He worked for General Motors in Atlanta prior to settling down in Talladega, AL where he was a longtime resident. He retired and moved to Marietta, Georgia, after meeting and marrying his wife, Joanne Harding Barksdale. In Talladega he made his career as a new car dealer at Cooley Motor Company. He served on the Talladega Airport Board for 24 years. He was president of the Talladega Kiwanis Club and Talladega Junior Chamber of Commerce. In Marietta, John was a member of First Baptist Church Roswell where he and Joanne were very involved in their Sunday School class and he also served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer of the class over the years. John was a devoted Alabama fan. At a restaurant, he would give “Roll Tide” as his name and would enjoy hearing them shout it out when his order was ready. Proceeded in death by his parents, a brother, Virgil Hulon Barksdale, and his sister, Margaret Barksdale Banks. John and Joanne brought together two families and is survived by his wife, Joanne, daughter, Tracy (Mark) Rheudasil of Atlanta; his sons John Thomas (Melanie) Barksdale of Madison, AL.; and Brian Barksdale (Janie Molliston) of Birmingham, AL ; daughters, Susan (John) Falls of Huntsville, AL; Laura Kehr of Kennesaw, GA; Becky (Scott) Egan of Alpharetta, GA; and Holly (Grant) Hudson of Ackworth, GA. Together they have nine grandchildren, Tyler Barksdale, Tanner Barksdale, Maggie Rheudasil, Jennifer Falls, Dylan Kehr, Ethan Kehr, Sabrina Kehr, Camilla Brock and Macy Brock. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at First Baptist Church Roswell at 3 o’clock. Family will welcome visitors 1:00-3:00 prior to service. Burial will be Friday morning at 9:30 at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors, Roswell, GA. 770-645-1414. www.northsidechapel.com

Mr. John F. Barksdale

December 20, 1935 - July 19, 2016