Ottis Franklin Cleghorn Jr.

Ottis F. Cleghorn, 91, of Marietta, GA passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 17th, 2025. Mr. Cleghorn was born December 14th, 1933, in Turner County, Georgia, to the late Ottis Cleghorn and late Bennie Nell Boles Cleghorn Revel.

He was drafted into the US Army in 1956 while still in college. Ottis served his country honorably until being discharged in 1962. In 1960, he received his BBA from GA State. Ottis began his career in the insurance business with Aetna in New Orleans thereafter moving to Allstate in Marietta, GA where he retired in 1998. Ottis decided to attend a trade school (Vo-Tech) to learn HVAC. He preferred to do things for himself and his family rather than relying on someone to complete a job.

He also liked to work on cars and was nicknamed “Big O”. Ottis loved the outdoors and would vacation often with his family mostly by driving and camping around the United States, seeing many natural wonders and national parks. He continued traveling in later years with his wife, Joyce, on international cruises and tours across the country. He also enjoyed hunting mostly deer and was always waiting for “the big one to put meat on the table”. Ottis also loved working in his yard and vegetable garden. Another favorite pastime was square dancing and ballroom dancing. He was an active member of his Christian church and was previously a deacon and elder.

Mr. Cleghorn was preceded in death by grandson, Joshua Stanley; brothers, Roger Cleghorn and Donald Cleghorn, and sister, Faye Cleghorn Huggins.

He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 71 years, Joyce Boatwright Cleghorn of Talladega, AL; children, Pam Stanley and Bill, of Powder Springs, GA, Keith Cleghorn and Leigh, of Hiram, GA and Jeff Cleghorn and Sandra, of Canton, GA; grandchildren, Jason O’Neal, Heather Fenn and Casey, Ryan Cleghorn, Joey Stanley and Bailey, Katie Rawdon and Chris; great-grandchildren, Annabelle Fenn, Scarlett Fenn, Ingram Fenn, John Fenn, and Nolan Rawdon; sisters, JoAnn Button and Judy Nix; brother-in-law, Dwight Huggins, sisters-in-law, Maggie Cleghorn and Judy Cleghorn and extended family members and friends to cherish his memory.

Friends are cordially invited for visitation from 10:00am and 11:30am on Friday, September 26, 2025, at HM Patterson Canton Hill. Pastor Kenny Sexton will be officiating the funeral service at 11:30am. Mr. Cleghorn will be laid to rest in the Georgia National Cemetery at 2:00pm, immediately following the service.