Thomas Jackson "Jack" Brantley

Thomas Jackson (Jack) Brantley passed away on March 30, 2022, in Waynesboro, GA at the age of 89.  He was at home surrounded by his family.  Jack was born December 9, 1932, in Wrightsville, Georgia to Thomas and Mary Brantley. He was one of six children.  The family moved to Charleston, South Carolina when Jack was very young.

He grew up in Charleston.  He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Furman University.  Jack was active in many organizations at Furman including the Furman Singers and was the editor of the 1955 yearbook, Bonhomie.  Upon graduation from Furman in 1955, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army.  He also earned a Master's Degree of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1974.

His first Army assignment was in Birmingham, Alabama where he met Martha Jean Deason, and they were married on April 11, 1959.   A year later, Jack was assigned to Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.  In addition to his Army duties, he was choir director at Elmendorf Airforce Base and then director of the Post Chapel choir at Fort Richardson.  He was stationed at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Netherlands and Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  Jack also served in Vietnam.

Jack’s decorations include Nation Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, RVN Campaign Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

After 23 years of active duty, Jack retired from the Army and the family moved to Waynesboro, Georgia.  He held the position of City Administrator of Waynesboro, Georgia for 22 years.

Jack was an active member in the Waynesboro community.  One of his greatest joys has always been his love of music.  He was the Music Director at First Baptist Church.  He also organized and directed the Waynesboro Community choir which performed on many special occasions.  He was former president of the Waynesboro Rotary Club and also president of the Waynesboro Community Concert Association.  He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Waynesboro, Georgia and the Spares and Pairs Sunday School class.  He loved his church and his church family.  He was a member of Post 120 American Legion.  He was also a regular member of the Coffee Club where they discussed news of the day and other important topics.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Martha Jean; son John Michael Brantley (Debbie); son Thomas Kevin Brantley; 3 grandchildren, Abbey Brantley Gay (Bobby), Jackson Deason Brantley, Jenna Grace Brantley; great grandson Deason Joseph Gay; and one sister Hazel Rutland and a number of nieces and nephews.

Jack is preceded in death by his father and mother (Tom and Mary Brantley); brother (Luther Brantley); brother (T.C. Brantley); sister (Helen Gunnells); sister (Evelyn Johnson).

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022, from 11am-12pm at the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro.  The Memorial service will be held following visitation at 12pm with the Reverend Doctor Al Wright and Reverend Doctor James D. Jordan.  Reverend Jordan and Jack have been good and faithful friends for 83 years.  Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

First Baptist Church Building Fund at 853 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830 or the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, California 91365-9925. 

Arrangements are by Burke Memorial Funeral Home

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