Gordon McAllister Telford, Sr.

Gordon McAllister Telford, Sr., age 97, passed away on August 10, 2024 in Toccoa, Georgia. 

Born on March 27, 1927 in Cleveland, Georgia, he was the son of the late James Harvey Telford and Nell Kenimer Telford. He was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Spears Telford, and also by three brothers, Joe K. Telford and James H. Telford of Gainesville, Georgia, George D. Telford of Cornelia, Georgia and two sisters, Janie T. O’Kelley of Birmingham Alabama and Betty T. Highsmith of Cleveland, Georgia.

Gordon attended North Georgia College and the University of Georgia.  He left school to volunteer his service in the United States Navy during World War II, serving his country in Japan while being deployed on the USS Cascade.  He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  

In 1963, Gordon moved to Carnesville, Georgia and began a forty year banking career that began as President of Carnesville State Bank.  In 2003, he retired in Toccoa, Georgia as CEO of First Banks, Inc., a holding company owning First Bank and Trust in Carnesville and the Bank of Toccoa in Toccoa. 

Gordon served as a director of the Bank of Toccoa, the Carnesville State Bank, First Bank and Trust, First Banks, Inc. and the Independent Bankers Association of Georgia.  He served on the Board of Directors of North Georgia Technical College.  He served as a director of the Toccoa Salvation Army and the Toccoa/Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and was awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his contributions to business, church, civic, and educational support and stewardship.  He served the United Way, Boy Scouts of America, and the American Cancer Society in various capacities within each organization. He was a past recipient of the President’s Medallion Award for his involvement on the Toccoa Falls College Board of Visitors, a recognition for his leadership in business in the Toccoa community.  Gordon was instrumental in establishing the Carnesville Development Corporation, a non-profit corporation that promoted business and housing opportunities for citizens of Carnesville, serving as President of the organization, 

Gordon was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Carnesville and in later years, was a member of Toccoa First United Methodist Church.  Gordon was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Toccoa, the Carnesville Lions Club, and the Rotary Club of Toccoa. 

Gordon’s compassion for those less fortunate, along with a sense of gratitude for his life’s blessings, led him to establish The Telford Family Foundation in 1993, the mission of which is to provide funds for charitable organizations whose charge is to serve the needy, promote civic improvements, and provide opportunities to enhance the quality of life for citizens in the communities in which he and his family members reside. 

Gordon was dedicated to his family, was a devoted and supportive husband, a loving father, a loyal brother and friend, and the world’s best Papa to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word, grateful for his blessings of family and friends and compassionate of those who had not been afforded the opportunities needed to make for a fruitful and productive quality of life. 

Gordon is survived by his son, Gordon Telford, Jr. (Julie) of Braselton Georgia, daughter Mary Telford Piggott (Tom) of Wilson, North Carolina, six grandchildren: Jay Telford of Flowery Branch, Georgia, Maggie Lyons (Troy) of Alexandria, Virginia, Laura Piggott of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kathryn Chapin (Miles) of Jackson, Wyoming, Georgia Moore (fiancé, Hunt) of Braselton, Georgia, and Kristi Wilson (Tyler) of Denver, Colorado: great-grandchildren, Molly and Mack Lyons and Lincoln Chapin, along with many nieces and nephews.

A service of celebration and remembrance for the life of Gordon Telford, Sr. will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Toccoa First Methodist Church, 333 E. Tugalo Street with The Reverend Brent White, The Reverend April Briant and Mr. Ray Miller officiating.  A visitation reception will follow in the Terrell House adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Toccoa First Methodist Church at 333 East Tugalo Street, Toccoa Ga. 30577 or to the Stephens County Hospital Foundation at 163 Hospital Drive, Toccoa, Ga. 30577. 

Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Gordon Telford, Sr.