John William Albright

John William Albright, 75, of Athens died March 6, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born in Rockford, IL, to John Robert and Anita Hennig Albright, they moved to Athens in 1959. An honor graduate of Athens High School he was active in many areas serving as senior class vice-president and yearbook business manager. At the University of Georgia John graduated Cum Laude with General Honors in Journalism, an M.A. in Communications, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. As a member of the honors program, he served on the Honors Program Student Association Council and was elected to Biftad, Omicron Delta Kappa, X-Club, Phi Kappa Phi, and the Public Relations Student Society of America, and the Pandora staff. He was appointed Minister to Publications of the Student Government Association and worked to establish the UGA student radio station. After graduation he married Lee Lovvorn of Rome, GA. He received his army commission in the Signal Corps. This was followed by seven years at Valdosta State College as Alumni Director and Non-Traditional Student Admissions   He and Lee returned to Athens in 1979 where John worked until retirement as UGA Associate Director of Admissions. Upon retirement he became the Director of Higher Ed Services for the Southern Region of the College Board then retired again. Not one to be truly retired he returned to the University System of GA and served three part-time positions assisting Georgia Tech/Savannah as acting Student Affairs Director, the editor of the SACS accreditation report for UGA, and assisting in UGA Admissions.  Outside his professional responsibilities John was active in the community. He was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry, the choir, the men’s study group, Family Promise, and the Habitat for Humanity crew.  John was active in OLLI and joined the Silver Dawgs hospitality team. Predeceased by his parents and brother Robert, he is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lee Lovvorn Albright, his children Margaret Cullen Albright of Athens, John Robert Albright (Kristine) of Greensboro, GA, grandsons William Ryan Murphy and John Maddox Albright, his sister-in-law Linda of Greenville, and his sister Peggy Albright Urquhart (Tom) of Gilroy, CA.

John could talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable with his caring approach and sense of humor. He loved puns and silly jokes and delighted his grandsons with wonderful faces, sounds, and Dad Jokes. The family would like to thank the staff of Highland Hills memory unit for all their special care.

A memorial service will be held May 9, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. or Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville is entrusted with arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.