John "Jack" Boozer

Local artist, John “Jack “ Boozer, passed away at his home on April 6, 2017, following a short illness.

Born in Wilmore, Kentucky on March 26, 1933, he was the son of the late Rev. Claud Dow Boozer and the late Ruth Foster Boozer. He moved to Habersham County in 1997 with his wife, Peggy Boozer, following his retirement after 36 years of federal service in the United States Air Force and the United States Department of Agriculture. He was a member and deacon of the First Baptist Church, Cornelia, GA.

Mr. Boozer’s career with USDA spanned 33 years where he served the last five years a Deputy Regional Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service in the Southeast Region, Atlanta, GA. Prior to that, he served in the same position for 14 years in the Western Region, San Francisco, CA. As Deputy Regional Administrator, he was responsible for the administration of the Agriculture Department’s food assistance programs in the eight state southeast region which included the Food Stamp, School Lunch, Commodity, and WIC programs. He was a pioneer in the development of the Food Stamp Program as the director of the Pilot Food Stamp Program in Alabama between 1963 and 1965. Following his graduation from Auburn University, Auburn Alabama in 1954, he served for three years as an officer in the United States Air Force. Mr. Boozer’s art career began in 1982 while living in California.

He is survived by Peggy Springfield Boozer, his wife of 64 years and daughters, Vicki Anne Gomes of Monroe, GA, Teri Lynne Lewis (David) of Mount Airy, GA, Traci Leigh Boozer of Issaquah, Washington, three grandchildren, Lesha Martin (Clinton), Justin Shane Gomes, (Brandy), Vanessa Lewis and two great-grandchildren, Trevor and Jaxson Martin. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. And Mrs. Claud D. Boozer, and brothers, Dr. Howard R. Boozer of Hendersonville, NC, William A. Boozer of Nashville, TN, and, Dr. Robert F. Boozer of Scandia, PA.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Cornelia. A private inurnment will be held for the family at Yonah Memorial Gardens with military honors to be provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, 2017 in the Banquet Room of the First Baptist Church prior to the memorial service.

Donations may be made in Mr. Boozer’s memory to the Children’s Ministry of First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 96, Cornelia, GA  30531 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105

Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia. 706-778-1700

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting our website at www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.