John Thomas Hay

Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee announces memorial services for John Thomas Hay, Jr., 92, passed away June 20th at his home in Hiawassee, Georgia surrounded by his family. A member of "The Greatest Generation", he was preceded in death by his daughter Jill Diane Hay Moneyhun (Wally), Macon, GA. Parents: Johnny Thomas Hay and Nellie Kate Peak Hay Robinson Lloyd, Sisters: Edna Dorer and Ann Thompkins; Brothers: William (Billy) Hay, Jimmy Hay and Malcom Hay, all of Columbus, GA. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Jeannette Robinson Hay; his daughter Donna Jean Hay Adkisson (Ken) of Birmingham, AL; sons John ‘Jack' Thomas Hay III (Esther) of Hollywood, FL, and Michael James Hay of Roswell, GA; grandchildren: Tracy Diane MoneyhunWeinmann (Philip) of Asheville, NC, Wallace James ‘Jimmy ‘ Moneyhun, Jr. (Amanda) of Athens, GA, Amy Catherine Adkisson Brown (Warren) of Birmingham, AL, Ken ‘Kenny' Edwin Adkisson, Jr. of Birmingham, AL, Amanda Lynne Hay Amigo of Hollywood, FL, Samantha Ryan Hay of Hollywood, FL. He is also survived by 5 great grandchildren: Jewellynne Diane Weinmann, Flannery AmelieMoneyhun, Finley Jae Amigo, Jensen Philip Weinman, and Jameson Elias Weinmann.

Born in Randolph County (Cuthbert), Georgia on December 20, 1924, he graduated from Jordan High School in 1943, in Columbus, GA.Immediately after graduation, he was drafted into the US Navy and served in World War II aboard the Destroyer USS Morris, in the South Pacific as a 2nd Class Electrician, where he encountered heavy fighting, to which his vessel was hit numerous times by Japanese Kamikaze attacks, to which he earned five Battle Stars.He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1946, at the conclusion of World War II. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Miami, FL, as a carpenter, eventually becoming Vice President &Co-Owner of Burk Construction. He was General Superintendent of Construction on many high rise buildings in South Florida, including the first high rise condominium in what is now Aventura, four 28 story buildings & marina on Turnberry Isle, The Jockey Club, Balmoral, One Island Place, Americana Hotel and Orange Bowl Stadium expansion, as well as many other high rise landmarks that grace the South Florida Skyline. In 1956, he built his home in North Miami (Biscayne Gardens), himself, from the ground up, to where he would reside for 39 years and raise his family. He also built two homes on his land in Hiawassee, GA.

He was a long time, loyal member of Rader Memorial United Methodist Church in El Portal, FL, where he served on many committees. He was active in the Optimist Club of Miami Shores (Past President), a 33 Degree Mason Miami Shores (Village Chapter), a member of Scottish Rite and Mahi Shriners (Mariners) in Miami, FL. as well as Board of Directors member for the Boys Club of Miami. He moved and retired full time to Hiawassee, GA in 1990, when he joined Hayesville (NC) First United Methodist Church where he led and supervised the building of the new sanctuary, which was completed in 2004. He loved hiking the North Georgia Mountains, spending time in his garden and apple orchard with his wife & family and the occasional deep sea fishing trip in the Florida Keys.

A celebration of John's life will be held at Hayesville First United Methodist Church, 989 U.S. 64 Business,Hayesville, NC on July 1,, 2017 at 1pm in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hayesville First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Hiawassee.