John Ralph Veazey, 79, of Tifton died Friday, April 9, 2010, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, in the sanctuary of Tifton's First Baptist Church. Rev. Steve Johnson, Dr. Wayne Roe and Rev. Bob Dowdle will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Johnny Veazey, Monty Veazey, Todd Veazey, Scott Veazey, Drew Veazey, Zach Veazey, Blair Veazey, Chance Veazey and Gary Vowell will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 12, 2010, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Born on June 6, 1930 in New Site, Alabama, Mr. Veazey was the son of John Preston Veazey and Verbie C. Jackson Veazey, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Ona Jane Ponder Veazey.
Mr. Veazey had lived in Tift County all of his life and was a life-time farmer and President of Veazey Plant Company. He was a deacon at Ocilla Baptist Church, a former member of the Plant Growers' Association and an avid fisherman. Above all, he was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Mr. Veazey is survived by his wife, Melba Paulk Veazey of Tifton; five sons and daughters-in-law, Johnny and Cathy Veazey, Monty and Patty Veazey, Todd and Darby Veazey, Scott and Amy Veazey and Drew and Wanda Veazey, all of Tifton; a step-son and his wife, Ray and Phyllis Paulk of Ocilla; two step-daughters and their husbands, Carol and Jimmy Greenway of Douglasville and Martha and Ken Pence of Jacksonville, Florida; one sister, Lou Neal Wisdon of Grovetown; 18 grandchildren; and ten great- grandchildren.