Johnston Stanford

STANFORD, Jr., John H.

John was born and lived his young life in Albany, Georgia.

He graduated from Albany High School in 1967 and enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology. While at Tech, he played on the freshman basketball team and was the manager for the Varsity team for the following 3 years. He tutored many athletes and made lifelong friends through Sigma Nu fraternity and the basketball program. He graduated from Tech in 1971 as the only Summa Cum Laude graduate that quarter. He worked as a quality control engineer for a year at Bob's Candies in Albany before enrolling in the University of Georgia School of Law. During moot court competition, he won an award for Best Written Brief, a skill that he attributed to his Georgia Tech education (once a Yellow Jacket …). He was the doubles tennis partner for Coach Erk Russell and a line judge for college tennis matches. He was a natural athlete and a golf enthusiast.

John practiced law for 10 years with Long, Weinberg, Ansley and Wheeler before opening his own Structured Settlement company. He remained in the structured settlement business for 38 years.

John was often described as the consummate Southern Gentlemen exhibiting the virtues of good manners, honesty, respect, decency, and kindness for all. His guiding principle was the importance of how we treat our fellow humans along the way.

He is survived by his wife, Sue and their four children: Katie Stanford Nolan (Patrick), Sara Stanford, Annie Stanford, William Stanford (Shannon); his treasured grandchildren: Gus, Gabriel, Sloane, Grant and Nina; and his brother, Bobby Stanford (Cindy); and 14 nieces and nephews.

He will be sorely missed but his essence will remain with us always.

Memorial Service on October 26, 2025, 1 PM at Chastain Horse Park Event Space, 4371 Powers Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30327.