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Funeral services for James Douglas Hawthorne, LTC, US Army, Ret., 97, of Whigham, GA, are at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Chapel of Clark Funeral Home, Cairo, GA.  Rev. Alan Hartsfield will officiate.  Interment will be in Hawthorne Cemetery, Whigham, GA.  Mr. Hawthorne passed away at Archbold – Grady, Cairo, GA, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Mr. Hawthorne was born on January 29, 1927, at home in Whigham, GA, to the late William Eric Hawthorne and Emma Janie Maxwell Hawthorne.  He attended Turkey Creek Grammar School and graduated from Whigham High School in 1943, at the age of 16.

Following his high school graduation, he attended North Georgia Military College in Dahlonega, GA for one year and later graduated from the University of Georgia in 1951.  He enlisted in the US Army Reserve, followed by enlisting in active service in the US Army in 1944.  He retired after 30 years of active duty at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, having served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as well as one tour in Germany during World War II, three tours in Korea and one tour in Vietnam.  Among the awards and medals he received are the Bronze Star and Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Cluster.  He was also certified as a fixed wing and rotary wing pilot.

After retirement, he moved to Alligator Point, FL, where he spent a lot of time fishing, boating and enjoying life with friends and family.  After 20 years in Florida, he moved back to his roots and renovated the home place in Whigham.  For many years he helped operate his wife Emily’s daylily business, Farmhouse Daylily Garden.  He married Emily Thomas Hawthorne in 1949, and they enjoyed almost 63 years together until her death in 2012.  In 2013, he then met and married Frances Hancock Hawthorne, who survives.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Hancock Hawthorne, of Whigham, GA; daughter, Mary Emily Shutes (Michael) of Dothan, AL; grandson, Kolby Phillips (Annah) of Thomasville, GA; stepsons, Matt Prather (Paula) of Marietta, GA, Robert Wayne Prather (Stacy) of Tallahassee, FL and Michael Joel Prather (Heather) of Glen Ellen, VA; eight step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.  He has one surviving sister-in-law, Suzanne Thomas of Cairo, GA and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Emily Thomas Hawthorne; brother, Thomas Hawthorne; and stepson, David Franklin Prather.

The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

Guests may sign the online register at www.clarkfuneral.com.