Harry Jeffcoat Jr.

JEFFCOAT, JR., HARRY passed away on March 28, 2013 at the age of 94. He was preceded in death by Martha Cook Jeffcoat (his wife of 63 years) of Savannah, Georgia. He is survived by his son, Harry Jeffcoat, III (Katherine), and daughter, Enid Jeffcoat Dean (Bill). Grandchildren: James Harry Jeffcoat, John Robert Jeffcoat (Lizzie), Clark Headrick Dean (Kristin) and Enid Dean Athanas (Bill). Great grandchildren: Anna Jeffcoat, Mary Elizabeth Jeffcoat, Sam Jeffcoat, Lacey Jeffcoat, Kate Jeffcoat, Will Dean, John Gregory Dean, Virginia Dean and Mary Martha Athanas.

He is also survived by his wife, Jacqueline Moore Downs Jeffcoat and his stepchildren, Janet Downs Prescott (Bob), Cliff Downs (Leslie), Jacqueline Dale Downs Thompson (Don), and Brad Downs. Step grandchildren; Whitney Hermandorpher (Greg), Julianne Downs, Shelley Greer (Lawrence), Trey Prescott, Royce Thompson, and Cameron Thompson and step great grandchildren: Watkins Greer, Ford Greer and Halsey Greer.

He was committed to his Christian faith, and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ both here at home, and as a lay missionary in India, the Philippines, Africa and other countries around the world.

Mr. Jeffcoat attended Academy of Richmond County High School in Augusta, Georgia, and was a 1939 graduate of Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Tech) with a B.S.M.E. degree in Mechanical Engineering. He received his Reserve Officer Commission, U.S. Army, as a Second Lieutenant.

He was called to active military duty in January, 1941 at Fort Benning, Georgia and assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment. He remained with the regiment until 1945 and left the service with the attained rank of Major. He spent twenty-nine months in the European Theater of Operations including Iceland, England, France, Belgium and Germany.

After the war he and his family moved to Birmingham where he ultimately established Harry Jeffcoat and Associates, Inc; specializing in the design and maintenance of complex air conditioning systems in buildings throughout the southeastern United States.

He was very active in civic responsibilities: He was on the Board of Trustees of the Birmingham Baptist Hospitals for over 18 years, four of which he was Chairman. He was on the Board of Trustees of Luther Rice Seminary for twelve years, three of which he was Chairman. He was on the Board of Trustees of LeTournau University in Longview, Texas for six years. He was a member of the City of Birmingham Plumbing and Natural Gas Boards for twenty-five years.

He was a loving husband and father and took great pride in his grandchildren. He also gave unselfish mentoring and Christian guidance to young men struggling with life choices. He shared his faith every day and was a true “prayer warrior.”

Visitation and service will be at Crestway Baptist Church located at 6400 Crestwood Blvd. (HWY 78) 35212 on Monday, April 1, 2013. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon and the service will start at 2:00 PM. Johns Ridouts, Trussville is officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Crestway Baptist Church or the Martha C. and Harry Jeffcoat, Jr. Foundation, Inc. at 5266 Grantswood Road 35210 to support foreign missions.