James D Haygood

James Daniel Haygood, age 92 of Tucker, Georgia took the hand of his Savior, Jesus Christ in the early morning of Wednesday, April 30, 2025. He was an amazing, loving husband, Daddy, Papa, Great-Grandfather, Uncle, neighbor and friend.

James was always learning and willing to help anyone. When he was younger, he helped his daddy with farming and worked as a service station attendant until he joined the United States Army in 1951. He was very proud to serve his country during the Korean War for one year during his enlistment. There he drove a tank for the 25th Infantry Division and earned a Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, a United Nations Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

After his Honorable Discharge in 1953, he moved to Atlanta and soon opened his own Barber Shop on Piedmont Road. In 1971, he moved the shop to the new Northlake Mall. James loved creating and working with his hands, so he left barbering and opened Haygood’s Home Improvement doing home renovations. At the same time, he was the Operations Manager and a Deacon at Northeast Baptist Church in Tucker.

When home improvement became too difficult, he decided to follow a long-time dream to drive an 18 wheeler semi-truck. James drove cross-country for Old Dominion Trucking, then moved on to driving a bus for Greyhound, and finally ended up driving for, and retiring from the United States Post Office.

Eventually, he built his own workshop behind the house where he would create the most beautiful cabinetry, bird houses and whirligigs for the yard. And speaking of, he loved doing yard work. When the neighborhood started a Yard of the Month Award, James won it nearly every month. It was a little annoying for the neighbors because they knew James’ yard was the most beautiful.

After his retirement, he stayed busy with little projects in the yard and workshop. James did not sit still until he absolutely had to, and even then he did numerous word search puzzles and coloring books.

James’ family will forever love and cherish him. His wife of 65 years, Laura Johnson Haygood; daughter Teresa Haygood Parrish and husband Tony; grandchildren, Samantha Parrish and partner Eve Ruby Evens, Anthony Parrish and wife Lindsay, and Alyssa Parrish; also, his two great-grandsons, Jace Parrish and Anthony Parrish. Though their hearts are broken, there is comfort knowing he’s with Jesus, and they will see him again. Oh, what a reunion that will be!

James will be laid to rest on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 2pm in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

A visitation for James will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cremation, 3150 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084, followed by a funeral service from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

James will be laid to rest in Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Dr, Canton, GA.