JOHN HARTON LIVINGSTON, 96, of Cedar Bluff, died on Thanksgiving Day surrounded by his family. His family is thankful for the life of this remarkable man.
A native of Cherokee County, Alabama, he graduated from Auburn University in 1940. He enlisted in the Navy in 1941 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II from 1942 to 1945, serving as the Executive Officer of his last ship, the USS Laurens APA 158.
He married Virginia Carpenter of Fairfield in 1944 and they began the life together in Hartselle, Alabama.
In 1948, he started the first poultry processing plant in Northeast Alabama in Albertville. He is known to many as the founder of the poultry industry in the State of Alabama. He was inducted into the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association “Hall of Fame” in 1972 and to the Auburn University Agriculture School “Hall of Honor”‘ in 1997 for his contributions to the poultry industry.
His awards and recognitions for his professional and community service are too numerous to list, but those that meant the most to him include: 1962 Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association “Work Horse Award”; 1970 “Man of the Year” by the Albertville Chamber of Commerce; 1974 “Silver Beaver” by the Choccolocco Council Boys Scouts of America; 1975 Rotary Club “Paul Harris Fellow.” He served on the Board of Trustees of Albertville First United Methodist Church, Jacksonville State University International House Program, and Huntington College. He was a director of the Albertville National Bank for 13 years and served as a member of the Advisory Board for Auburn University for the School of Agriculture. In 2009, at age 92, he received the Heart of an Eagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America.
Upon retirement, he moved with Virginia from Albertville to Cherokee County where he was active in the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, the Centre Rotary Club, and the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Virginia Carpenter Livingston, and his son John Mark (Dalen) Livingston of Birmingham, and his parents Speer and Haynie Livingston. He is survived by his children Alan (Susan) Livingston of Dothan, Carol (Charlie) Reed of Birmingham, Gail (Ted) Mills of Birmingham, and David (Inga) Livingston of Gadsden, 11 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, his brothers, Jack Livingston of Scottsboro and Blake Livingston of Cedar Bluff, and many nieces and nephews.
He loved his family with a fierce passion. He loved his friends and his community deeply. His mind remained remarkable until the day he died. He was a great American, known by everyone in Cherokee County as “Mr. John.” He will be greatly missed. The family extends their deepest gratitude to Lannette Hale and to the staff of Cherokee Village for their love and compassionate care over the last several years.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 1, at 2:00 followed by a memorial serve at 3:00 at the Perry Funeral Home in Centre, Alabama, Rev. Melvin Salter officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church.
Perry Funeral Home directing