John Peter “Pete” Nesbitt Sr.

John Peter “Pete” Nesbitt, Sr. age 85, of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023, at his home.

Pete was born in Toledo, Ohio, September 16, 1938 to the late Howell D. and Mary Butler Nesbitt. After his father joined the US Navy in 1941, his mother moved to Marion, Indiana where he grew up.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother, William, his brothers-in-law, William Tovell, William Parke, and Edwin Cole. He is survived by his wife, Martha, Gainesville; sister, Molly Parke, Warsaw, Indiana; Nancy Cole, Marion, Indiana; brother, Thomas Nesbitt (Marigene), Astor, Florida; children, Ann Weber (William), Downingtown, Pennsylvania; John Peter Nesbitt, Jr., (Jennifer), Bozeman, Montana; Grandchildren, John Robert Jenkins (Cierra), John Thomas Nesbitt, and Juliana Catherine Nesbitt and sisters-in-law, Patricia Tovell and Cindy Nesbitt

From a very young age, he loved the out of doors and remained an avid hunter and fisherman for most of his life. Growing up, he attended Camp Crosley in Indiana and was awarded Camper of the Year and later, Jr. Counselor of the Year. While still in high school, he worked as a professional fishing guide in Michigan during the summers.

After graduation from high school, he attended Michigan State University and Indiana University before volunteering for the draft (US Army) and served in Germany in the Medical Corps. Returning home, he graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University. In 1963, he married Martha Tovell and they enjoyed a wonderful marriage for over 59 years. Their two children Clarice Ann and John Peter Jr. were both born in Marion.

Most of his career in business was in the packaging industry, from glass, corrugated containers to plastics. He and the family moved to Atlanta in 1971 and in 1986 to the Bent Tree Community in Jasper, Georgia. While in Georgia, he built two manufacturing facilities, one for medical devices and the other for plastic products. While living at Bent Tree, he served as president of the Bent Tree Home Owners Association.

Pete and Martha moved to Gainesville after she was named President of Gainesville College (now the Gainesville and Oconee Campuses of the University of North Georgia). He became interested in paleontology, went on several digs in Montana, and learned how to prep fossils. He acquired a large collection which he proudly displayed in their home. He also made presentations in several Gainesville/Hall County schools.

Serving as a volunteer teacher at the Elachee Nature/Science Center, he was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000. He also served on the Hall County Economic Development Committee and on several committees at Chattahoochee Country Club.  Always supportive of his wife, Martha, he attended many college functions.

Pete enjoyed traveling with Martha and friends. He will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband and father. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was quite the story teller. He entertained his friends with tales of his experiences and knowledge that he acquired about dinosaurs and other paleontology facts and trivia.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to Northeast Georgia Hospice, 743 Spring Street Gainesville, Georgia 30501 or Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Avenue Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Memorial Park Riverside Chapel. The Celebration of Life Service will be at 2:00 pm, on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Grace Episcopal Church, followed by a reception at the Chattahoochee Country Club.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com