Joseph Kanaday Jr

Joseph Kanaday Jr. age 91 of Dahlonega passed away peacefully at his residence on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 following an extended illness.  His twin daughters were by his side along with his sister Ruth.

Mr. Kanaday attended Grace Grammar School and Lumpkin County High School graduating in 1942.  He perused studies at North Georgia College in 1943 and then volunteered to go into the Airforce in December of that year.  He went on active duty in 1944 serving in WWII and the Korean War.  He returned to Lumpkin County and reentered North Georgia College graduating in 1951.  During his tenure at North Georgia College he was elected President of his senior class with a commission in the US Army and as a 2nd Lieutenant and distinguished military student.  Upon reentering to civilian life he started his career with the Wright Contracting Company in Columbus, GA.  That company would later join Oman Construction Company and RP Farnsworth in a joint venture in Pakistan where Joe was a cost engineer, estimator, and subcontract manager for the construction of military facilities including five airfields.  It was Karachi that Joe met the love of his life, Connie and they were married in Karachi and their children Bret, Brenda, and Mike were born there. Their lives would then lead them to Afghanistan where Joe was construction manager for the Kandahar-Kabul Highway Project. During his 45 year career he retired as a Sr. VP for Oman Construction.  He was involved in several major projects around the world that included the Alaskan Pipeline, Laurel Dam in Kentucky and Rapidol Deployment Base in the Middle East.

North Georgia College was a great influence and inspiration in Joe’s career.  He served 6 years on the NGC Foundation and two years as president 1981-1983 and in 1990 was given the Distinguished Alumni Award. Joe and Connie also established the Joe and Connie Kanaday Scholarship Fund for Lumpkin County High School Students.

Joe loved having a garden, playing bridge, researching his family tree, going hunting (especially his annual pheasant trips to South Dakato). He loved attending the NGC Friends & Forever gathering and events.  He loved his family very much and they loved him.  He will be greatly missed.  He had a great life that he loved.

Joe is preceded by his parents, Joseph Henry Kanaday and Hester Clark Kanaday, brother Andrew Jackson Kanaday, sister Frankie Stringer, brother in law Travis “Bill” White, and nephew Richard Paul Stringer.

Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years Connie Kanaday formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, twin daughters Brett Kanaday and Brenda Kanaday both of Dahlonega, son Joseph Michael Kanaday (Vandy) of Orlando, Florida, a granddaughter Kori Kanaday of Orlando, Florida, sister, Ruth White of Murrayville, Georgia, sister Francis Chastain (Vaughn) of Helen, Georgia, brother in law, Paul Stringer of Dahlonega, nephew, Jack White (Debbie) of Murrayville, Georgia, niece Karen White Wigley (Kenneth) of Dahlonega, nephews Steven Stringer of Dahlonega, Walter Chastain (Sherry) of Wasilla, Alaska, a number of great nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.

In lieu of flowers, Joe asks that you make a donation to the building fund at Mt. Zion Baptist Church #2 c/o of Michael Anderson 5781 Hwy 52 E Dahlonega, GA 30533.

Family will receive friends on Saturday August 19, 2012 from 3pm until 7pm.  Funeral service will be held on Sunday August 20, 2017 at 3pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dahlonega. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided.  Rev. Gerald Edmondson will officiate. Pallbearers will include Mike Kanaday, Jack White, Joe Elcan, Dave Dempsey, Steve Stringer, Jonathan White and honorary pallbearers include, Mac McCollum, Wayne Palmer, Jack Chapman, Paul Stringer, Vaughn Chastain, and Walter Chastain.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Arrangements by the professional staff of Dahlonega Funeral Home 20 Gibson Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-DOVE (3683)