George Callaway Zachry, Sr. Obituary
George Callaway Zachry, Sr. passed away peacefully at West Georgia Hospice in LaGrange, Georgia, on July 21, 2022.
Mr. Zachry was born October 28, 1927, in West Point, Georgia, the second son of the late George Huguley and Sara Pope Callaway Zachry.
He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-seven years, Valma Kemp Zachry; brother, James T. (Jim) Zachry; daughter, Elizabeth McKinney; granddaughter, Shannon Duck Robinson; and son-in-law, Mark Dalusky.
He is survived by his children: Carolyn Dalusky of Athens, GA, George C. Zachry, Jr. (Margaret) of Pine Mountain, GA, and Rebecca Hales (Clay) of Johns Creek, GA.
Seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive including Zach Duck (Kimberly) of Athens, GA; Fletcher McKinney (Jessica), and boys Eli, Cullen, and Liam of Robertsdale, AL; Cary McKinney of Alexander City, AL; Mary King Kurrass (Jason), and daughters Sophie, Lilly, and Lucy of Pine Mountain, GA; George Callaway Zachry, III of Pine Mountain, GA; Alice Hales-Kharazmi (Shervin), and children Sam and Jane of Atlanta, GA; and Richard Hales (Laney) of Milton, GA.
Mr. Zachry graduated from West Point High School in 1945, and treasured lifelong friendships beginning in these school days, keeping in touch over all the years through personal correspondence and reunions with his classmates.
Following high school, Mr. Zachry attended Georgia Institute of Technology in the 1945/46 school year and Mercer University from 1946 - 1949. While at Mercer Mr. Zachry was active in the Glee Club, the Red Cross, F.B.L.A., the Ciceronian Literary Society, the Alpha Phi Omega National Honor Service Fraternity (treasurer in 1948), Cluster (the campus weekly newspaper), and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
In 1949 Mr. Zachry returned to the family business, Zachry Brothers, in West Point with his father George H. Zachry, and partners, brother Jim, and cousin Griggs.
On November 18, 1951, Mr. Zachry married Valma R. Kemp. He and Valma started a family right away, having their four children by 1957. He was a devoted father and husband who treasured family time whether it was Sunday romps in the woods, weeklong trips to the beach, or the epic two-week Zachry family adventure to California and back with Valma and all four kids piled into the station wagon.
Throughout his adult life, helping and caring for others occupied Mr. Zachry. He is remembered for delivering Meals on Wheels to shut-ins and reaching out to those in need, even after he moved into assisted living. He was devoted to his church, attending every Sunday he was able. Studying and sharing God’s word gave him joy as he faithfully taught Sunday school for the Men’s Bible Study Class. He was always ready to share his lesson notes with those that were not able to attend.
For decades Mr. Zachry was active in the Lions Club of West Point, helping organize programs, raising money with sales, and hosting visitors from around the world through the Lions Club International Youth exchange.
Over the years Mr. Zachry nurtured and maintained a passion for researching and preserving local history. As an active member of the Chattahoochee Valley Historical Society, he contributed his own writings, shared stories and served on the board, and was treasurer for the Chambers County Book Committee. As an esteemed member of the Society, in 2001 he was conferred life membership for his “outstanding service and long, unwavering support for the purposes and endeavors of the Society”.
Mr. Zachry’s family expresses heartfelt gratitude to Joseph R. Downs, III, MD for a lifetime of friendship and attentive care. We are also grateful to Gary Freeman, Corey Norrell, and all the aides at Lakewood Senior Living of Valley, Alabama for the loving care Mr. Zachry received for the past ten years while he lived there.
Arrangements A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church of West Point, GA at 11:00 AM EDT, Rev. Erik May's
Officiant. The family will greet friends for visitation before the service at 10:00 AM EDT in the Zachry Center at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at West Point First United Methodist Church, 306 East 7th Street, West Point, Georgia 31833.
Services have been entrusted to Bluffton Funeral Services, Lanett, Alabama.