James Franklin Cathey II

     James Franklin Cathey II passed away peacefully at his home in Mountain City, Georgia on Tuesday, April 14.  Mr. Cathey had fought cancer for three and a half years.  Mr. Cathey’s parents were Ellis and Kate Cathey, late of Mountain City.

     Mr. Cathey is survived by his wife, Brenda Cathey, and his daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie.  Jennifer and her husband Stephen Arbitter live in Clayton and have three sons, Mark, Allen, and Wyatt, Stephanie and her husband Les Shuman live in Savannah and have a daughter, Sarah Kate.

     He also is survived by his sister, Karen Cathey, of Mountain City; and two brothers, Dennis and John.  Dennis and Vicki Cathey and their children, Matthew, Zachary, and Caroline live in Cornelia.  John and Bernice Cathey live in Greenwood, South Carolina, and have two daughters, Janna and Pennie, and five grandchildren.

     Mr. Cathey was a lifelong member of Mountain City Methodist Church and served there in many capacities.  He was a past member and chairman of the Rabun County Board of Education, a member of the Board of Directors of Regions Bank in Clayton, a member of the advisory committee for the Federal Land Bank in Clarkesville, and he served on the North Georgia Technical School Foundation.  He was a past president of Walnut Flats Hunt Club.

     He was a 1967 graduate of pharmacy school at the University of Georgia.  He owned and operated Valley Pharmacy in Dillard for 43 years.  He loved his store and his customers.  He never missed a day of work due to illness until his cancer diagnosis.

     Farming was in his blood and the soil of Mountain City ran through his veins.  Over the years, he raised chickens and grew tomatoes, cabbage, corn, and peppers.  His apple orchard was a labor of love and his commune with God.

     Swimming and playing with his grandchildren, golfing, and attending Georgia Bulldog games made for happy family times and memories.  He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and friend.

     Visitation will be at Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, on Friday, April 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.  Services will be held Saturday April 18, at 3:00 PM, at the Fine Arts Building on the campus of Rabun County High School.

     Memorial donations can be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at 8550 W Brynmawr Avenue, Suite 550, Chicago, Il 60631, in memory of Frank Cathey.  The association’s website is www.abta.org.  Donations also can be made to the Disabled Veterans Association in care of Ronald Webb, 398 Smokey Road, Alto, GA 30510.

     Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.