Almond O. (Red) Healan

Almond O. (Red) Healan was born to Matthew Healan and Maude Oakes Healan, on Christmas Day 1927, in Winder Georgia.  Red passed from this life to eternal life on June 11, 2024 at 96 years of age.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Frances Jones Healan, and his two daughters, Lisa Frances Healan, and Judith Healan Griffin.

Red is survived by his large and loving family; daughters Becky Healan Ruffner (Ken), and Patti Healan Guinn (Jim), sons, Michael Almond Healan (Melissa), and Jason Matthew Healan, as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. 

Red led a unique and interesting life.  He served in the Air Force near the end of WWII and is a member of the “greatest generation.”  He was an early pioneer of radio broadcasting and started his career playing live radio music in the 1940s.  He was known as a popular radio personality during that time as part of the musical duo, Red and Leon, in Athens Georgia, on WRFC.  As he advanced in radio, he was known for promoting the careers of many up-and-coming country and gospel artists of the time.  He was a founding member of the Country Music Association and was honored on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in 2010 for his contributions to the field of country music and radio.  By the mid-1960s, Red was known throughout northeast Georgia as a popular radio host and broadcaster.  He spent many a football Saturday in the press box with his friend Ed Thilenius, calling the University of Georgia football games, and was an avid Dawg fan, attending home games so long as he was able.  In 1966, Red would leave his Vice President position at WRFC in Athens, being recruited to Gainesville, by his friend Charles Smithgall, to become Manager and Executive Vice President of WGGA radio station.  Red’s voice would be known over the airways in both Athens and Gainesville for several decades.  It was not uncommon for people to stop Red on the street, or in a restaurant, knowing who he was just by hearing his voice as he was talking.  He was also a colorful and animated announcer for the stock car races at the old Athens Speedway.  This would lead to a role in the 1970s movie, Greased Lightening, where he played himself as the racetrack announcer.  Later he would open his own business, Sterling Business Brokers, purchasing and selling radio stations across the southeast.  He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in the late 1990s.  After retiring from radio and broadcasting, Red would hold his “retirement job” with his friends at Greene Ford in Gainesville.  In his later years Red enjoyed traveling the world with friends, and his tour group of UGA alumni. 

In addition to being a pioneer in broadcasting and a radio personality, Red was known in his community of Gainesville, for being a savvy businessman, community leader and advocate, as well a servant to others.  He held many leadership roles in both professional and community service, including President of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Board of Directors for the Boys Club, Governor and President of the North Georgia Civitans, Board of Directors for the Salvation Army, the Northeast Georgia Ad Club, and many other local and state associations.  Red was also a member of St Paul United Methodist Church in Gainesville, being actively involved for over 50 years, serving in roles such as Sunday School teacher, lay speaker, lay leader, Chairman of the Stewardship and Finance Committee, official Board Chairman, and many other roles, as well as unofficial member of the choir.  Red’s beautiful voice could be heard throughout the sanctuary on Sunday mornings from his front row pew.  Red loved gospel music and spent many years singing in a variety of capacities.

Red led a full and exciting life.  But his greatest accomplishments were his love of family, his faith and his many friends.  He was a caring husband, father, and “Pawpaw.”  Grateful appreciation and much love to the wonderful ladies of Graceful Care Senior Living who provided such loving care in his final years, as well as his former caregiver Terrie Sexton, and his friend and neighbor, Sammy Smith.

A Celebration of Red’s Life will be announced at a later date, to allow for travel arrangements for out-of-town family. 

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Rd., Gainesville, Ga. 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com