John Timothy Pike

John Timothy Pike, 76, of Cordele, and former resident of Manchester, passed away Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Crisp Regional Hospital.
"Johnny," as most knew him, was born on December 29, 1947 in Manchester, GA, the son of Jesse W. Pike and Annie O'Neal Pike. After graduating from Manchester High School in 1966, Johnny enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He married Dianne Dixon in June of 1967 and had 2 daughters, Christie (1968) and Kendra (1972). After the Navy, he was an insurance salesman and even laid bricks (he was quick to say he was not cut out for either). Johnny returned to Manchester and went to work for Seaboard Coastline Railroad (later became CSX). While working for the railroad and raising a family, Johnny earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Columbus College. Johnny and Dianne adopted their grandsons Robert (Robby) and Brandon and raised them as their own. He made a career out of working with the railroad with CSX where he retired as a trainmaster. After the death of his first wife, Dianne, Johnny reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Judy Taylor Foster. They were married in December of 2016. Johnny said he was blessed to have fallen in love twice.
Johnny loved life. He loved his family and friends. He enjoyed entertaining friends and family through his stories (some true and those he made up). Johnny loved to dance and have a good time. If there was music, he was on the dance floor. Once his health began to fail, he enjoyed watching Gunsmoke and visiting with family and friends. He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Dianne Dixon Pike; daughter, Kendra Pike; grandson, Jackson Stewart; second wife, Judy Taylor Foster Pike; siblings, Eloise Oakes, Shirley Hughes, Joyce Creech, Annette Hargis, Cynthia Tucker, Wade Pike, and Kenneth Pike.
He is survived by his daughter, Christie Stewart (Bobby) of Cordele, GA; sisters, Sue (Billy) McDaniel and Beverly Pike, both of Shiloh, GA; grandchildren, Robert Bonforte currently stationed in Korea with the U.S. Air Force, Brandon Lee, Logan Stewart ("his only little grand girl") and Preston Stewart all of Cordele, GA; and many extended family and friends.
Memorial services for John T. Pike will be held 4:00 pm Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the Chapel of Cox Funeral Home in Manchester, GA. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A private committal will be held in Meriwether Memory Gardens, Manchester.
The family requests that contributions be made in memory of Johnny to The President Theatre-Manchester in lieu of flowers. Cox Funeral Home 93 Prather Barnes Road Manchester, GA is assisting the family with the arrangements. The family requests that you please sign the online registry and leave condolences on the tribute wall page.