John T. Croley, Jr., 74, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in Fitzgerald, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 1 PM, Saturday, December 2, 2023, at The Paulk Funeral Home Chapel in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Steve O’Neal officiating. Jack Paulk will deliver the eulogy. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services beginning at Noon in the Chapel.
Mr. Croley was born January 17, 1949, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, to the late John T. & Christine Howell Croley. In his high school and early years, he worked for Mr. Dunn as farm manager as well as G.B. Butler and Jack Stuart. He was a 1967 graduate of Fitzgerald High School where he was active in the Beta Club and was President of the Student Council and was also a four-year starter for the Purple Hurricane Football Team. He was co-captain his Senior Year and was named All-Tift Area, All-Middle Georgia, and All-State. He continued his education at Georgia Tech and earned a Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering, graduating with high honors in 1971. While at Tech, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and worked on painting the wind tunnel. He was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Gamma Tau. Following graduation, he took a job with Trane and moved to Wisconsin and briefly lived in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mr. Croley attended Law School at the University of Georgia earning his Juris Doctor and graduating with highest honors on December 12, 1977. At UGA, he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and was named to Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar on December 14, 1977 and made a member of the Order of the Coif. He returned to Fitzgerald and joined the law firm of Jay, Sherrell, Smith. In the mid-80s, he ventured out on his own and opened John T. Croley, Jr. Attorney at Law, and would actively practice until illness forced his retirement a few years ago. Mr. Croley was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the 5th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the Middle District Federal Court. Throughout his distinguished law career, he represented many people in the surrounding areas. He did legal work for several insurance companies including State Farm, Farm Bureau, and Auto Owners. Locally, he served as attorney for Fitzgerald Utilities, Ben Hill County Board of Education, Ben Hill County Hospital Authority, and Fitzgerald Housing Authority. Another one of Mr. Croley’s passions was banking. In 1982, he joined the Board of Directors for the National Bank of Fitzgerald. Several mergers occurred through C&S, Nations Bank, Bank South, and finally First State Bank. In 1996, a group of local businessmen, including Mr. Croley, formed Community Bank of Fitzgerald. He served as organizing vice-chairman for a few years and then served as Chairman of the Board until his death. He also served as a board member for Wilcox County State Bank since 1985.
A licensed pilot with many qualifications and ratings, Mr. Croley was known to “buzz the town” on occasion. Many will remember his acrobatics and flying stunts in one of his beloved planes: the purple and gold Russian Yak 55M, the red, white and blue Skybolt Bi-plane which was a crowd favorite on the Fourth of July, his yellow J3 Cub , his twin Beechcraft Baron, his Cesna 182 in which he taught his daughter Cathy to fly, or his experimental Mustang (the only plane he never wanted to sell). He was also an avid Purple Hurricane supporter and coached DLS ball. Mr. Croley was very grateful for Stewart & LaQuita Carswell becoming honorary Granddaddy and Mimi to his son Johnny and for accepting his son as one of their grandchildren. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, community, and his faithful canine companion, Freddy.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart, and wife of 54 years, Margaret Dunn Croley of Fitzgerald; daughter, Cathy Croley Boggus & Billy Boggus of Leesburg; son, John T. “Johnny” Croley, III & Mikensley Croley of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: William Taylor Boggus, Kathlyn Rose Boggus, and Jacob Ray Boggus; and a sister, Mary Croley Knight & Dr. Don Knight of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to First Presbyterian Church, 234 Irwinville Highway, Fitzgerald, GA 31750.