John N. Pontius Jr. of Fayetteville, Ga., went to live with his Savior Aug. 22 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born Feb. 23, 1931, in Butler. He was the son of John N. and Mildred (Hilliard) Pontius. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ruth G. Pontius.

John graduated salutatorian of his graduating class at Butler High School in 1949.

He worked for the Butler Eagle newspaper before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951. He served in the Korean War in the intelligence services.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1954, he went to work for Troutman Department Store as sales promotion and advertising manager. He retired from Troutman's and worked for the Department of Labor and Industry for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania until his retirement. He then moved to Fayetteville, Ga., to be closer to his grandchildren.

John served in many capacities at his church, including elder at North Street Christian, as well as Sunday school teacher and continued to serve the Lord at the Christian Church in Georgia. John led by example in all he did.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vivian (Crawford) Pontius. He has two daughters, Michelle and David Phillips of Fayetteville and Lisa and David Malota of Vine Grove, Ky. He has four grandchildren, Clarinda (Phillips) and Jamey Trask, Sarah Marie Ellis, Eric M. Phillips and Bradley R. Phillips, all of Fayetteville. He has one great-grandson, Levi James Trask. He also is survived by a brother, William F. and Joanne Pontius of Butler; and a sister-in-law, Gloria Crawford. He also has many loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

<B>PONTIUS</B> — A memorial service for John N. Pontius Jr., who died Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, was held at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at the First Christian Church of Tyrone with Billy Rowe officiating.Donations can be made to the Southwest Christian Hospice, 7225 Lester Road, Union City, GA 30291; the Villages for Children at Christian City or the Challenge Program for the mentally disabled at Christian City, 7345 Red Oak Road, Union City, GA. 30292; or to First Christian Church of Tyrone, 294 Jenkins Road, Tyrone, GA 30290.