John Allen "Al" Dempsey, Jr.

Appling, GA – Mr. John Allen “Al” Dempsey, Jr., 78, husband of Mrs. Cynthia “Cindye” Johnson Dempsey entered into rest on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at his home with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, John Allen Dempsey, Sr. and Reba Orr Dempsey. Family members, in addition to his wife, include his son Allen Dempsey (Rachel); daughter Amy Awad (James); Grandchildren: Kinley, Ethan, Evan, Beckam, Chandler and Noah

Grace; Sister: Jackie Hoyt (Dennis) and many other loving family members.

After graduating from Evans High School, Al attended Lees-McRae College and then went into the U.S. Navy. After his service with the Navy, he began a career in the insurance industry where he started as an agent with Life of Georgia Insurance Company. While working in the insurance business his entrepreneurial spirit started to grow, leading him to open his own independent agency, Dempsey Insurance. While running his agency he had several investment properties including apartments and storage warehouses. After retiring from insurance, he returned to his true passion with horses, and started his horse boarding business, Simply Southern Stables. In addition to managing his different businesses, he steadfastly remained a great servant to his community.

Al was proud to be a lifelong resident of Columbia County and served his community in countless ways until the time of his passing. He was most recently Chairman of Columbia County Planning and Zoning Board, as well as Chairman of Columbia County Board of Health. He had previously served two terms on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners and served as Chairman many years during that time. While on the Board of Commissioners he had great visions for the county. He was instrumental in procuring the land where the current government complex is located and was told at the time “it was too far out”. If you knew Al, he was a force to be reckoned with when he set his mind to something!

Coming back into town after any trip, when you crossed the Columbia County line, he would always say “We’re back in God’s Country”! Al loved his family with even more passion than the county where he grew his roots and began to soar. He was also a member of Bartram Trail Senior Golf Group and First Baptist Church of Evans. Athletics, hunting, and horses have been his lifelong interests. Al founded Log Hunting Club in 1972 and it continues until today.

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, Papa and friend to so many. A celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 28, 2024, at 3:30 P.M. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son with his brother-in-law Dennis Hoyt officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 until 3:30 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes, Attn: Development Division, 1000 Sheriff’s Way, Madison, GA 30650 or online at https://www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org/donate/.