DEMOREST, Ga. — John Popham Jr., a lifelong public servant whose decades of leadership helped shape the City of Demorest, has died at the age of 87.
Popham passed away on Tuesday, May 19, according to his obituary.
For more than four decades, Popham served the City of Demorest as a councilman and volunteer firefighter, leaving a lasting mark on the community he called home all his life. During his 44 years on the Demorest City Council, he played a key role in expanding the city’s water system and strengthening its fire department, helping guide the small Northeast Georgia town through years of growth and change.
Northeast Georgia native
Born Dec. 27, 1938, in Tiger, Popham was the son of the late John Marvin Popham Sr. and Helen Irine Shirley Popham. He was preceded in death by his son, Barry Scott Popham, and brother, Roger Harkins Popham.
Popham retired from Georgia Natural Gas and also served his country in the United States Army. Beyond public service, he was known throughout the community for his love of classic cars, coaching youth sports and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves. In 2012, he was inducted into the Habersham County Ring of Honor in recognition of his contributions to the county.
A longtime member of Clarkesville Masonic Lodge #325 F.&A.M., Popham had been a Master Mason for more than 50 years. He was also a faithful member of Demorest Baptist Church.
Just weeks before his death, Popham was honored at his home with a Congressional Commendation recognizing his decades of service to Demorest and Habersham County. Family members, friends, pastors, and community leaders gathered to celebrate a life many described as rooted in faith, humility, and service.
During the ceremony, speakers reflected not only on Popham’s years in office, but on the quiet and personal ways he impacted those around him.
“Everyone has a life, but not everybody leaves a legacy,” Pastor Scott Smith said during the gathering at Popham’s home on April 9.
He served in the ‘everyday moments’
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness and others shared memories of Popham’s steady leadership and dedication to the city. Longtime friend Barry Church told those gathered, “This community is truly a better place because of John Popham.”
Care Pastor Tom Skipper described visiting Popham in recent weeks and being greeted with “the biggest, warmest smile.”
“I thought I was coming to be a blessing,” Skipper said. “But I left more blessed than anything I could have brought.”
Following news of his death, Mayor Harkness released a statement about Popham’s legacy of public service.
“He showed up when people needed help. That was John. If there was work to be done, he was not standing on the sidelines giving advice; he was usually already in the middle of it,” Harkness said.
The Mayor recalled from his own childhood seeing Popham working the grill at the annual Independence Day celebration in Demorest.
“That may seem like a small thing compared to building water systems or serving 44 years in office, but to me, it says everything about who he was. John did not just serve in the big moments. He served in the everyday moments. He served when people were watching, and he served when nobody was keeping score. He loved this city enough to do the small jobs and the hard jobs,” Harkness said.
Popham is survived by his wife, Lillie Popham of Demorest, their four surviving children, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Hillside Memorial Chapel in Clarkesville.
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