John Henry Voigt

1932 - 2025

John Henry Voigt, III, of Tybee Island, GA, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025, at the age of 93. A devoted family man, veteran, and lifelong public servant, John's legacy is one of dedication, love, and quiet strength.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 25, 1932, John moved to Tybee Island in 1944 when his father became the lighthouse keeper - a role that sparked John's lifelong connection to the coast. It was during these formative years that he met his first wife, Barbara Jacobs Voigt, whom he married in 1951. They shared 40 years of marriage until her passing in 1991.

John proudly served in the United States Coast Guard, enlisting in 1950 and retiring in 1976 as a Senior Chief Quartermaster (E8). A skilled sharpshooter, he served with distinction on several Coast Guard buoy tenders, including the CGC Aurora, CGC Perilous, CGC PAPAW, CGC Plaintree, and CGC Active. Notably, he served in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1966. Later in his military career, he trained recruits at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown.

After retirement, John continued to serve the community through his work at Fort Pulaski National Monument. He eventually returned to Tybee Island, where he spent the last 40 years of his life enjoying coastal living.

In 1993, John married Martha B. Voigt and embraced her sons, Wayne and Ken Boyd, as his own. Together, their blended family grew in love and number.

John is survived by his son, Tony Voigt, and daughter-in-law, Kim, along with their children, Kaitlyn Marlow and Jacob Voigt. He is also survived by his daughter, Kelly Umphlett, and her husband, Kenny, along with their children, Drew Umphlett and his wife Courtney, Kimberly Umphlett, and Stephen Umphlett and his wife Chelsea.

Through his marriage to Martha, John was also blessed with stepchildren Ken Boyd and his wife Karen, and their children Luke Boyd and his wife Saloni, Katie Mullins and her husband Ryan, Jennifer Prigdon and her husband Josh, and Anna Callahn and her spouse Taylor. He is also survived by Wayne Boyd and his wife Andrea, and by Shawna Boyd and her partner Ofir. In total, John was the proud grandfather of ten beloved great-grandchildren across both families.

John's passions included tinkering with cars, electrical work, and dancing. He was also a member of the Masons and the American Legion and served as a lifeguard on Savannah Beach in his youth - a symbol of his lifelong connection to the water.

A graveside funeral service will be held at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Savannah, GA, on Monday, June 16th at 12:00 PM. Following the service, a reception will be held at the American Legion on Tybee Island, located at 10 Veterans Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Tybee Island Historical Society, honoring John's love for the island's heritage.