John W. Denney

Entered into rest November 10, 2012, Mr. John William Denney, Sr., Midland, GA. Mr. Denney was born May 9, 1934 in Swananoa, North Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Mercer University in 1956 and his Bachelor of Laws Degree from Walter F. George School of Law Mercer University in 1957. He was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1957 and has practiced law in Columbus since then. At the time of his death, Mr. Denney was the senior partner in the law firm of Denney, Pease, Allison & Kirk.

He is past President of the Columbus Bar Association, member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, American Judicature Society, and Fellow in the American College of Elite Trial Lawyers. He has been named a Super Lawyer in Georgia, based upon peer reviews. Mr. Denney was awarded the Tradition of Excellence Award by the State Bar of Georgia for outstanding service to the public and Bar in 1997 and was named Georgia Trial Lawyer of the Year by the American Board of Trial Advocates in 2000. Mr. Denney is past President of the Columbus Lions Club, member of the Shrine Club and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, the Kimbrough Lodge # 118 F&AM.

Mr. Denney had a lifelong passion for the profession of law and enjoyed mentoring young lawyers to the legal profession. He is known among his colleagues in the Columbus Bar Association as the lawyers’ lawyer and that will be his legacy to the legal profession he so loved and served with distinction for 55 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Loma Greene Denney, Midland, GA, his daughter, Judith Denney Hollington (Larry Neal Hollington) Augusta, GA, his son, Clifford Michael Denney (Monika Irene Denney) Buford, GA, his grandson, Capt. John William Denney, III (Libby Bain Denney) stationed Hohenfels, Germany, granddaughter, Sarah Lauren Hollington, grandson, William Neal Hollington, great granddaughters, Cora Parker Denney and Morgen Elizabeth Denney, daughter in law, Kelly Hynes Denney, Cape Cod, MA, sister, Shirley Denney Armstrong, Dothan, AL, brother, Carl E. Denney, Lawrenceville, GA, and a number of nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by son, John William Denney, Jr.

Services will be held in the Chapel at Striffler- Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Kevin Calhoun officiating. The family will receive friends at Striffler- Hamby Mortuary, Friday, November 16, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Clifford Denney, Larry Hollington, Neal Hollington, Brian Greene, Mark Armstrong, Michael Armstrong, Brad Daugherty, and Antonio Weldon. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Columbus Bar Association.

The family wishes to give special thanks to caregivers, Barbara Lee, Tonya Bing, and the staff of Columbus Hospice. They also give special thanks to the long term devoted excellent care given by Dr. Belk H. Brooks and the staff of Columbus Cardiovascular Surgery, and Dr. Dennis K. Harden and the staff of Chattahoochee Family Physicians.

Memorial contributions may be made to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31909 or the charity of your choice.