Dr. James Burton Moncrief Jr.

James (Jim) Burton Moncrief, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer which he faced with grace, optimism and humor. The son of the late James Burton Moncrief and the late Joy Glazener Moncrief, he was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on April 3, 1945. He lived with his family in Beaumont, Mission, Dallas and College Station, Texas before moving to Athens, Georgia at the age of 13. As his father was the Director of the United States Golf Association, Turf Section, Jim was blessed to be able to play the best golf courses in the United States, Ireland and Scotland.

He attended Athens High School and won a National Science Foundation Scholarship to the University of Georgia where he was a member of the men’s gymnastics team and the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Upon completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Emory University he was drafted by the Navy in 1969 and was then transferred to the Fleet Marines in Vietnam where he served as the only Marine dentist in the combat zone of Phu Bai. Jim extended his service time and relocated to Iwakuni, Japan. Upon his release from active duty he returned to Emory University to complete his surgery residency in periodontics.

Dr. Moncrief returned to Athens and established his periodontal practice in 1974 and he retired in 2020. He was dedicated to not only quality of care and building relationships with his patients but was also active in numerous local, regional and national professional organizations, including the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the American Academy of Periodontics and the Georgia Academy of Dental Practice to name a few. He also twice received the Presidential Merit Award from the Georgia Dental Association.

In addition to golf, Jim enjoyed playing racquetball, snow skiing and traveling with his wife, Karen, which included trips to Ireland, Spain, numerous trips to Highlands, Sea Island and the wine regions of France on luxury barges. He was an avid Georgia fan and always set game day Saturdays aside for tailgating and cheering on his beloved Dawgs. However his greatest passion was the sport of fox hunting and he was a long time member of the Belle Meade Hunt in Thomson, Georgia where he served as Field Master of the First Flight for many years. Jim always said that the air is better on the back of a horse! It was through this sport that he experienced incredible adventures and made countless memories and treasured friendships.

Jim was a member of Athens First United Methodist Church and the Tuck Sunday School class, the Presidents Club and Heritage Society of the University of Georgia and the Athens Country Club.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Susan Clark. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years Karen; son, Lyn Moncrief (Bea Sequeira) of Glendale, California; daughter, Shannon Moncrief of Clane, Ireland; granddaughters, Clodagh Nathan and Fernanda Moncrief; and brother-in-law, Dave Clark of Washington, West Virginia.

A visitation will be held at Bernstein Funeral Home on Sunday, October 26, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The service will be at Bernstein Funeral Home on Monday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m. There will be a private burial at Oconee Hill Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Athens First United Methodist Church, the Georgia Golf Association/Moncrief Turf Management Scholarship, University Cancer and Blood Center or a charity of one’s choice would be greatly appreciated.

His family will be forever grateful for such a life well lived and for the way he touched so many lives. To quote Jim, “What a ride!”

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.