Memorial services for John “J.H.” Crunkleton, age 92 of Clayton and formerly of Cornelia will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2017 at 3:00 PM from the First Baptist Church of Cornelia with Dr. Eric Spivey officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Mr. Crunkleton passed away Friday, February 3, 2017.
Mr. Crunkleton was born October 15, 1924 in Franklin County to Rev. J.H. and Lillie Mae Wall Crunkleton. Soon after graduation from Cornelia High School, he enlisted in the Navy and served as Quartermaster on the LCI 80 in the Pacific until the end of World War II.
Upon his return home, he and his father began Cornelia Broom Company. After his father’s death, Mr. Crunkleton expanded the company until it became the largest broom manufacturer in the southeast and seventh largest in the U.S. Mr. Crunkleton was an avid golfer, a jogger who competed in many amateur runs, and taught dozens of kids to ski at Lake Burton. He was a 62 year Master Mason and a member of Toccoa Masonic Lodge #309 F&AM. He tirelessly organized reunions for his Navy shipmates for over 40 years. He is probably best known as a diehard University of Georgia Bulldog fan. Mr. Crunkleton attended close to 700 UGA football games and was already planning to head to Notre Dame for the 2017 season.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Crunkleton was preceded in death by his first wife Jane Millwood Crunkleton, his second wife Gusti Huber Crunkleton, and step son Ben Kuipers.
Survivors include daughter Leah Coker of Flowery Branch, daughter and son-in-law Mary Alice and Mark Grant of Woodstock, stepdaughter Betty Jo Youngblood of McDonough, stepsons John Kuipers and Adam Kuipers of Clayton, as well as 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Disabled Veterans of America or enjoy a good meal with friends and family and raise your glass to Crunk!
Those wishing may send condolences online by visiting HillsideMemorialChapel.com.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
