John E. Rycroft, 72, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Medical Center- Navicent Health in Macon, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 4 PM, Friday, August 12, 2016, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, with the Rev. Steve O’Neal officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, 3PM to 4 PM, at the funeral home.
Mr. Rycroft was born October 21, 1943, in Pitts, Georgia, to the late Ernest M. Rycroft, Sr. & Bertha Louise Youngblood Rycroft. He lived most of his life in Wilcox and Ben Hill counties. He graduated from Pitts High School in 1963, where he played basketball. Mr. Rycroft later attended Georgia Southwestern in Americus. He was a retired conductor from CSX Railroad and was owner and operator of Colony Pool Supply. Mr. Rycroft loved to read about history and was a wonderful children’s storyteller. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife: Grace Rycroft of Fitzgerald; children and their spouses: James Turk & Pam of Ambrose, John Rycroft, Jr. of Fitzgerald, Camille Turk Etheridge & Allen of Fitzgerald and Andrea Rycroft Sutton & Roger of Fitzgerald; eight grandchildren: Ben Harper, Rhett Rycroft, Jay Turk, Elijah Turk, Rylee Rycroft, Rob Rycroft, Raegan Rycroft and Sophie Sutton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother: Maynard Rycroft.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials, may send them to the First Presbyterian Church, P O Box 97, Fitzgerald, Georgia, 31750.