John Thomas Whelchel

Tom was born February 19, 1935 in Adel, Georgia. He was the fifth child of the late Carrie Griffin Whelchel and the late Emmett Vickery Whelchel. The family soon moved to Moultrie, Georgia where he spent his "growing up" years.

Finishing Moultrie High School, Tom spent his freshman year at North Georgia College. He then transferred to The University of Georgia where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served as President of the Interfraternity Council (IFC). As a student, he was a member of The Gridiron Secret Society. Tom obtained a Juris Doctor in 1959 from The Lumpkin School of Law at The University of Georgia and moved to Brunswick to practice law with Nightengale and Liles. Tom subsequently joined Gowen, Conyers, Fendig, and Dickey, where he became a partner. The firm later evolved into Fendig, Dickey, Fendig, and Whelchel. After departing in 1976, Dickey, Whelchel, Miles, and Brown was established, which later transitioned into Whelchel, Brown, Reddick, and Baumgartner.

Tom served as the County Attorney for Glynn County for many years and served as the President of the Glynn County Bar Association. He was honored to be a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a prestigious organization that acknowledges distinguished trial lawyers in the United States. In 2020, Tom entered retirement from Whelchel and McQuigg after completing 61 years of the practice of law.

He found great joy in being a pilot, which paved the way for his early partnership in Golden Isles Aviation.

During his lifetime he served on several boards including the Frederica Academy Board of Trustees and Escorts.

Tom was a founding member of The First Bank of Brunswick and served as its inaugural Chairman of the Board for many years. He continued his role on the board following its acquisition by ABC Bankcorp, which eventually became Ameris Bank.

He is survived by Anne Bazemore Whelchel, his wife of 50 years; children William Emmett Mitchell IV (Anne), Albany, GA; Marie Whelchel Worley (Charles), Greenville, SC; Eleanor Mitchell Gunn (John), Roswell, GA; Carrie Whelchel Lovein (Matthew), Atlanta, GA. Eleven grandchildren include: Gordon Bazemore Mitchell, Brooks Anne Mitchell, Dorothy Ruth Mitchell, Elizabeth Ivey Redderson, Anna Crandall Redderson, Eleanor Anne Gunn, Sarah Gunn Pipkin, Catherine Elizabeth Gunn, Matthew Cline Lovein Jr., Frances Brooks Lovein and Carrie Louise Lovein.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to caregivers Serena Dykes, Teracia Carter, and Audrey Keach for their exceptional care and support.

The family will host a visitation from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Wednesday, April 9 at Village Creek Landing. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am at the St. Simons Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 10.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home www.edomillerandsons.com, in Brunswick, GA.