OBITUARY

Lt. Col. George Justus Hearn, III (Ret.), born August 19, 1934, went home to The Lord on September 5, 2014. A fifth generation native of Walton County, he is preceded in death by parents Maj. Gen. George Justus Hearn, Jr. (Ret.) and Nell Potts Hearn. After graduating from Georgia Military College, George attended the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a J.D. degree from The University of Georgia School of Law. While at Georgia, he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, Rho Chi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Phi Delta Legal Fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Phi Kappa Literary Society, Order of the Greek Horsemen and Gridiron. He was known to be a loyal Bulldog fan! A graduate of Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, his 23 year military career included instructing and leading young candidates in State Officer Candidate School. He retired as a member of the Judge Advocate General Corp. The Distinguished Service Medal was among his many honors. A member of the American and Georgia Bar Association, his legal career included service as Assistant and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Chief Prosecutor for State of Georgia Law Department, private practice trial attorney at Sorrells, Hearn and Childers, and attorney of Walton County for 24 years. His legal career culminated in service as a Family and Juvenile Court Judge through which he held numerous statewide offices, including President of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges of Georgia. His passion for children and love of community is further evidenced through his coaching, mentoring, and with eleven others, the founding of George Walton Academy in 1969, where he served as Chairman of the Board for 15 years. He served as founder and director of Walton Bank and Trust Company and Liberty First Bank of Monroe, Georgia. After retirement he continued to serve the community through the Boys and Girls Club and Faith In Serving Humanity. As a proud PaPa, he enjoyed his grandchildren, genealogy, fishing on the Soque, mentoring young Sigma Nu brothers in their obligation toward excellence and inspiring his many friends through social media. He was an active, lifelong member of Monroe First Christian Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. His love of family is only exceeded by his love for The Lord. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Elizabeth Cook Hearn, and by their children, Cheryl H. and Colin D. Greeley of Monroe, Georgia; Vickie H. and Hugh B. Williamson III of Monroe, Georgia; Allison M. and George Justus Hearn IV of Suwanee, Georgia; Amy E. and John A. Hearn of Marietta, Georgia; and Jean H. and Ron R. Warnken of Marietta, Georgia. In addition, he is survived by 12 grandchildren, Hugh, John, James and Lee Williamson; George Justus V, Christopher and Allie Grace Hearn; Darden, Christian, and William Hearn; and Matthew and Sara Beth Warnken. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 7th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, September 8th from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Meadows Funeral Home, Monroe, Ga. Funeral services will be held at Monroe First United Methodist Church, Monroe, Ga. on Monday, September 8th at 2:00 p.m. Interment following at Rest Haven Cemetery, Monroe, Georgia. Those wishing to do so may honor George with contributions to Monroe First Christian Church or George Walton Academy.