John Emil Lindgren

John Emil Lindgren, a longtime resident of Saint Simons Island, died on December 12, 2024, after a short illness. He shared his final hours with his family in an atmosphere of love, grace, and thanksgiving before going home to an eternity of peace in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and loved ones who have gone before him.

John was born in Atlanta on March 2, 1934, the son of Edgar Florentin Lindgren and Annie Lee Gray Lindgren. A true “Buckhead Boy”, he attended R. L. Hope School and graduated from North Fulton High School in 1952. In his later years, he reveled in the annual Buckhead Boys reunion, returning to attend many years. He enrolled in Florida State University where he was a member of the SAE fraternity and spent a summer with the famous FSU circus. He graduated from Florida State with his bachelor’s degree in June 1956.

After graduation John followed his brothers into the United States Navy serving as a naval flight officer. He retired from the Naval Reserve as a Captain in 1979. The greatest legacy of his naval career came while stationed at NAS Glynco in Brunswick, Georgia where he was introduced to a young schoolteacher, Miss Barbara Jones, on a blind date. Following a short courtship, they were married September 12, 1959.

In 1972 John joined Parker-Kaufman Realty and Insurance in Brunswick and moved with his family to Saint Simons. He was an active member of St. Simons United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school and serving in many leadership positions. He also enjoyed his membership in the Golden Isles Kiwanis Club, the Thursday morning men’s Bible Study on St. Simons of which he was a founding member, and the Walk to Emmaus. He was known and respected throughout the community for his integrity, compassion, and commitment to the service of others. In his later career John was honored to serve on the Glynn County Airport Commission and was the chairman when the new terminal building was dedicated in 2005.

John had a sunny outlook on life and with his broad smile and warm words he truly never met a stranger. He adored his five grandchildren, and nothing made him happier than spending time with them, from cheering at countless soccer games and swim meets to helping with his grandsons’ Eagle Scout projects. “Granddaddy’s cookies” were famous among their friends in college, with surprise packages of his favorite recipes arriving at just the right time.

In his later years, John kept physically active, walking around Sea Palms West golf course daily. He loved to carry dog treats with him, handing them out to neighboring dogs he would pass. He also carried a box of treats in his car and was always ready to stop when driving past one of his dear “dog friends.” His exercise paid off in 2016 when he climbed Diamond Head at age 82 and paid his respects at the USS Arizona Memorial. His positive and gentle demeanor never faded, and even during the difficult days of his illness he always responded with a strong and bright “I’m feeling good!” when asked how he was doing.

A wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather, John is survived by his sons, Jones Lindgren (Mary) of Atlanta, and their children Mary Craig, Chapman, and Kate; Stan Lindgren (Beth) of Radnor, Pennsylvania and their children Jack and Maly; his sister Mary Anne Douglass (Edo) of Augusta, and numerous nieces and nephews whom he adored. He was preceded in death by Barbara, his beloved wife of 60 years, his parents Edgar and Annie Lee Lindgren, brothers Ed and Gray Lindgren, and granddaughter Frances Whitehead Lindgren.

The funeral will be at Fair Haven Church, Herndon, Georgia, on Friday, December 27 at 10 AM with interment in the family cemetery, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance at St. Simons United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 28 at 11AM

In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to Fair Haven Church, P.O. Box 1096, Millen, Georgia 30442; Honor Flight (https://www.honorflight.org/), or a charity of their choice.

DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service, (706-554-3531). You may sign the guest book at www.deloachfuneralhomes.com.