James Harvey Telford, Jr. died on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the age of 92. He was born in Cleveland, Georgia, August 1, 1917, the son of the late James Harvey Telford and Nell Kenimer Telford.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Georgia in June 1939. After graduation he came to Gainesville to work with Motor Finance Company. In 1947 he opened a similar business for himself, Commercial Finance Company, which he operated for thirty-five years. Also, he owned and operated Home Furniture Company from 1957 until his retirement in 1982. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Finance Department of General Headquarters, Pacific Area Command.
Jim loved his community and his church. He served as President of Gainesville Jaycees and as Vice President and Director of the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Gainesville, serving several years as Treasurer and then as President in 1958-59. He maintained perfect attendance in Rotary for more than fifty-seven years. He was elected a Will Watt Fellow and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was an active member of Sons of the American Revolution, serving as Treasurer for fifteen years. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, having served through the years in most leadership areas including Church Treasurer, Long-Range Planning Committee and Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Official Board, Secretary-Treasurer of the Trustees and as Church Lay Leader. He served on the North Georgia Conference Board of Pensions. He was a charter member and past president of the Open Door Sunday School Class. After retirement he worked as a volunteer with the Northeastern Georgia Medical Center Auxiliary, serving jointly with his wife as co-founders of the Lifeline Program.
Jim also loved and treasured his family.
Survivors include his wife of more than sixty-eight years, Catherine Johnson Telford; two daughters: Anne Telford Parr of Atlanta and Rosalyn Telford Kendall, and her husband, Bob, of Jacksonville; ten grandchildren: Stephen Parr, Kevin Parr, Allan Parr, Robert Kendall, James Kendall, Daniel Kendall, Catherine Kendall, Aaron Kendall, Anna Kendall and Grace Kendall and fourteen great-grandchildren; sisters Janie Oâ
