James L. Allegood, Jr.

James Linton Allegood, Jr., age 88, of Kennesaw, GA died Monday, July 20. Mr. Allegood was born in Dothan, AL on March 23, 1921 to the late Zena Rogers Horne and the late James Linton Allegood, Sr. He attended elementary and high school in Moultrie, GA. and prep school at Gordon Military Academy in Barnesville, GA. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he attended Midshipman School at Columbia University in New York and received the naval rank of Lt. j.g. From there, he was transported by ship to Southern England to prepare for the invasion of Europe. After training at the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth, England, he was the officer in charge of a division of LCMs during the assault on the Normandy Beaches. On June 6, 1944 with eight landing craft under his command and under heavy mortar fire, Mr. Allegood managed to safely go in and out of Omaha Beach discharging troupes three different times. For his outstanding performance of duty and bravery, he was awarded the Commendation Ribbon and the Bronze Star. After he was discharged from the Navy in 1946, Mr. Allegood came to the Carolinas and worked in the early days of air conditioning as an engineer for Sneeden York Company. In 1952, he went to work for the Celotex Corp. He retired after 34 years as Vice President of Marketing for the Building Products Division. Mr. Allegood was always an active member in his church. He served in many areas including Sunday school class president, co-teaching 7th grade students as well as young adults, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and on the Property Committee at Marietta First Baptist. He was an avid golfer and an enthusiastic supporter of Auburn football. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ida Jo Graham Allegood; his son, Tommy Allegood and wife, Carol; his daughter, Beth Smith, and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Tom Allegood and wife, Jennifer; Katy Titley and husband, Jeff; Taylor Smith and Ryan Smith; great-grandchildren, Micah Allegood and Max Titley; step-grandchildren, Beth Phelps and Laura Phelps; step-great-grandchildren, Conner, Grace, Stella and Sophia. He is also survived by his brother, Carlton Ward Allegood and wife, Connie; Kimberly and Shelby Goerne; his sister, Martha Allegood Furr and husband, Frank and their children and grandchildren, Charlie, Frances, Carlton, Liza Furr and Celeste, Will, Liam, Camilla Hyde; his brother-in-law, Spencer Graham of Palm Springs, CA.; and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Graham of Acworth, GA. Visitation and reception will be held on July 26th at Marietta First Baptist Church in Room 300 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm. Following the visitation, funeral services will be held in the church sanctuary at 2:30pm with Dr. Bill Ross and Rev. Dean Hunter officiating. A private family interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Marietta First Baptist Church, 148 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta in charge of arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com

James L. Allegood, Jr.

July 20, 2011