Mr. Mehaffey is survived by his wife of 64 years,
Julia Kirby Mehaffey; two children, son David Edward Mehaffey and wife Brooke of Muscatine, Iowa, and daughter, Judith Catherine and husband Sid Landers of Dalton, Ga. His three grandchildren are McClain John Mehaffey and Luke Franklin Mehaffey of Muscatine, and Julia Catherine Landers of Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Jack was born Sept. 23, 1921, in Lynchburg, Va.,
to the late Jesse James Mehaffey and Catherine
McClain Mehaffey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son
Jesse Franklin Mehaffey Jr.; stepmother Virginia
Bateman Mehaffey; sister Mabel Mehaffey Burks;
and brother Marshall James Mehaffey.
After graduating from Lanett High School in
1941, he enrolled in Alabama Polytechnic Institute
(Auburn University). After one year in college, he
enlisted in active service in the Army Air Corps
during WWII. He was stationed in England, where
he was a crew chief in the P51 Mustang Fighter
Squadron. He was very proud to be called one of
our Greatest Generation.
He returned to Alabama Polytechnic Institute
after the war and graduated in 1948 with a degree
in industrial engineering. He retired from West
Point Manufacturing, having worked at the corporate
office for 43 years.
Jack joined Lanett Methodist Church in 1952,
where he was a very active member serving on
various committees and areas of the church, including
church treasurer for more than 20 years,
administrative board and finance committee.
Mr. Mehaffey was a devoted husband, father
and a wonderful “Papa” to his three precious
grandchildren. He was a quiet and very gentle
man, who will be missed by his family and friends.
He also exemplified what it means to be a “Southern
Gentleman.” Jack was an enthusiastic supporter
of Auburn University and the Auburn Tigers.
Jack was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to
classical music, loved watching SEC football,
painting with water color and watching the variety
of birds in his yard. He also enjoyed sharing treats
with the neighbors’ dogs. He enjoyed playing and
teaching tennis in his younger years and was a former
member of the West Point Lions Club and
Riverside Country Club.