John Hewitt

Following a lengthy ill-
ness, John A. Hewitt, age
67, rested in final peace on
June 21, 2025, at his home
in Dawsonville, Ga.
As the youngest of six
children, John was born
and raised in Toccoa, by
his parents, Jim and Edith
Hewitt. He was a Class of
1975 graduate of Stephens
County High School and
subsequently graduated
from the University of
Georgia with a degree in
journalism. While i
n col
-
lege he met his wife,
Dorothy. They wed in May
1985 and shared a 40 year
marriage.
Throughout his profes-
sional career, John pur-
sued opportunities in
newspaper journalism. In
July 2000, he joined The
Champion Newspaper in
Dekalb County as General
Manager and advanced to
chief operating officer
where he continued to
work until shortly before
his passing. His work re-
ceived numerous industry
accolades and awar
ds for
excellence. In 2021 he be-
came a published author
with his book "Broken
Wings: A Brother Left Be-
hind," a recounting of his
father's military service as
a graduate of the U.S.
Army's first paratrooper
school in Fort Benning,
Ga., and subsequent time
as an instructor at Camp
Toccoa.
John thoroughly en-
joyed outdoor activities of
camping, hiking, and tub-
ing the North Georgia
mountains as well as the
plants and garden of his
backyard sanctuary. With
an inherent curiosity for
history and travel, he ex-
plored and enjoyed di-
verse locations and people.
Within his local communi-
ty he was active in multi-
ple conservation, preser-
vation and fundraising
projects including restora-
tion of The Swanton House
at Dekalb History Center.
In addition to his wife
Dorothy and beloved pet
Porkchop, John is sur-
vived by sisters Shirley
Bethune, of Athens; Peggy
Allen, and Toni Hewitt
White, both of Toccoa; and
nieces and nephews with
whom he held a special
bond. His parents, Jim and
Edith, and brothers Jim-
my and Robert, preceded
him in death.
John's final wishes
were that no public funer-
al service be planned. All
who knew and loved him
are forever imprinted with
memories of his caring
heart, humorous wit, vi-
brant spirit, smiling eyes,
and contagious laughter.
This is how he hopes to be
celebrated and remem-
bered. In his word
s, "You
can toast to my life well
lived".