John Larry Courson Sr., 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday August 30th, 2026, surrounded by love and family. He was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, coach, and friend to many. John lived a life full of love, laughter, family, and a whole lot of sports.

John was born on May 25th, 1951, and graduated from Willingham High School in 1969. He proudly retired from the Monroe County Board of Education after many years of service.

John was a man of strong character. He was persistent and steadfast in what he believed in and was never afraid to stand firmly behind his convictions. Once John believed in something, he stood his ground. He carried that same determination into everything he did from his work to coaching to his family and to the people and things he cared about most. His strength, loyalty, and unwavering kindness were a defining part of who he was.

John had a true passion for baseball and softball. Coaching was more than just a hobby to him. It was something he poured his heart into. He took great pride in helping young athletes become the best players and people they could be. Throughout his coaching years, John was blessed to celebrate a World Series championship along with numerous other championships. He loved watching his players grow, succeed, and accomplish things they never thought they could. The impact he had on the youth he coached will live on through the many lives he touched.

John was also a devoted sports fan. He loved his Atlanta Braves, his Atlanta Falcons, especially when they actually won, and, of course, his Georgia Bulldogs. He was always ready to cheer on his teams and proudly support his Dawgs.

But there was nothing John loved more than his family.

John loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren immensely. He took tremendous pride in every one of them. His family was everything, and he never missed an opportunity to tell them how proud he was of them. Whether he was watching a ballgame, keeping up with the news, telling a joke, or simply spending time with the people he loved, John was always happiest when his family was around.

John had a personality that was impossible to forget. He was super funny, loved to make people laugh, and was truly a friend to all. He never met a stranger. If you knew John, chances are you have a story about him, and chances are that story will make you laugh. His sense of humor, his big heart, and his ability to make people feel welcome will be deeply missed.

John loved watching the news and keeping up with what was happening in the world. He enjoyed a good conversation, a good ballgame, and most of all, time with the people he loved.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cheri Courson; his son, Thomas David Courson; his mother, Madie Courson; his father, J.M. Courson; his sister, Joann Courson; his brother-in-law, Leroy Livingston; his father-in-law, Aaron Newbern; his mother-in-law, Ouida Newbern; and his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Left to cherish John's memory are his sons, John Courson Jr. (Traci) and William Joseph Courson (Eleana); Daughter in law Cindy Courson; his daughters, Kimberly Buckley (Dylan) and Melissa Godbee (Matt); his brothers, Glynn Courson, Joseph “Ronnie” Courson (Debbie), and Kimball Courson (Sally); his sisters, Pansy Hall, Gayle Livingston, and Vickie Courson; grandchildren, Chelsea Heltsey (Sean), Erica Courson, Victoria Horton (Grant), Hannah Courson (Easton), Sophia Courson, Taylor Fleet (Tyler), Illynger Engle (Jordon), Kaleigh Rogers-Chaffin (Jesse), Joshua Courson (Carlie), Morgan Courson (Devin), Lana Buckley (Sam), Reagan Buckley, Weston Buckley, Brantley Godbee, Alexa Godbee, Claire Godbee, Aspen Godbee, and Dakota Godbee; great-grandchildren, Sean Rogers, Jr (SJ), Evelyn Courson (Evie), Elodie Courson (Ellie), Thomas D. Chaffin (Declan), Rylea Lazenby, Ryder Lazenby, Kohen Horton, Staussi McAlpin, Knox White, Noah Engle, and Dylan Engle; and numerous extended family members and friends.

John may no longer be sitting in his favorite chair watching the news, cheering for the Braves, fussing at the Falcons, or pulling for his Dawgs, but his voice, his laughter, his determination, and his love will forever live on in the hearts of the people who were blessed to know him.

Visitation will be Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, John will be laid to rest in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.