John Lewis Champion

Mr. John L. Champion a longtime resident of Tucker died Friday the 22nd of June, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer and kidney failure.  He was born in Shawmutt, Alabama the son of the late Claud and Neva Champion.  John attended Auburn University and graduated from the Dallas Institute-Gupton Jones Mortuary College in Dallas, Texas.  As a young man he was a Boy Scout and attained the rank of Eagle Scout.  He served in the Army National Guard for a number of years.  John was a retired funeral director of H. M. Patterson & Son and was devoted to Patterson’s and the many families he served over the years.  John was recognized by the Georgia Funeral Directors Association and received his forty year certificate at St. Simons Island in 2003.  He was a longtime member of Briarlake Baptist Church, Decatur where he was a faithful choir member for forty-two years was a member of the Encouragers Sunday School Class, and in his early years worked with the young boys in the Royal Ambassadors.   John was active in the Indian Guides for special need Boys and Fathers.  In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his three sisters, Lurlene Jenkins, Faye Redd, Mary Chapman and one brother, Wilson Champion.  Surviving are his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Rudean Middlebrooks Champion; son, Michael Royce Champion; sister, Doris Story of Tyler, TX; and a number of nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews.  Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon the 24th of June, 2012 at three o’clock at Oglethorpe Hill.  Interment Floral Hills Memory Gardens.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Kidney Transplant Services at Piedmont Hospital, 35 Collier Road, Atlanta, GA 30309 or Winship Cancer Institute – Emory University 1365 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322.  Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family Sunday afternoon from one o’clock until the hour of service at H. M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.