Zack Daniel Cravey, Jr., 87, of Sea Island, and a former resident of Atlanta, died Tuesday, January 7, 2014 after a long illness at Marshes Edge on St. Simons Island. A memorial service will be held at 11AM Saturday, January11, 2014 at Wesley United Methodist Church on St. Simons with Rev. Dr. John Stephens officiating. Internment will take place at a later date in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia.
Beloved husband, father and friend, Zack was born December 23, 1926 in McCrae, Georgia to the late Zachariah D. and Ophelia P. Cravey. He moved to Atlanta at the age of five when Zack, Sr. relocated his family there to serve the state of Georgia. Zack, Jr. graduated from Boys High School and served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He attended both the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Georgia where he matriculated with a BA degree in law in 1950. One summer, while working for the Department of State Game and Fish, he met Joan Weadon of St. Simons Island, Georgia. They continued to date as students at UGA and married in 1950. At Georgia, Zack was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity where he made many life-long friends.
In 1951, Zack was admitted as a member of the State Bar of Georgia and began his law practice in Atlanta where he raised his family. Also in 1951, he was one of the original founders of the Bank of Upson of Thomaston, Georgia (now SouthCrest Bank), and for over sixty years from his initial election to the bank’s Board of Directors he served as both distinguished counselor and Director. Along with James “Jimmy” Hewell and the Citizens and Southern National Bank, Zack was one of the original investors in Peachtree Doors, Inc, founded in Atlanta in 1959 with the introduction of an innovative, sliding-glass patio door. From 1970 to 1986, he served as Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of Peachtree Windows and Doors. Now a member of The Schield Family Companies, Peachtree is one of the most recognized brands in the industry.
Following his retirement from Peachtree Windows and Doors, Zack acted as Attorney and Of Counsel at the firm of Chorey, Taylor and Feil of Atlanta. In 1984 he was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to serve as Chairman of the Board of the Georgia Residential Finance Authority (“GRFA”) and was reappointed as its Chairman by Governor Zell Miller. During his tenure of service to the people of Georgia on the GRFA board he was instrumental in authorizing the issuance of bonds to finance low cost housing and hence promote Georgia’s economic development.
Zack was a member and served as President of the Atlanta Lions Club in the mid 1960’s, was an active member of Northside Methodist Church of Atlanta, and also enjoyed memberships in the Capital City Club, Atlanta, GA; the Peachtree Golf Club, Atlanta, GA; the Highlands Country Club, Highlands, NC; the Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cashiers, NC; the Sea Island Club, Sea Island, GA; and the Ocean Forest Golf Club, Sea Island, GA. Zack loved life and liked nothing better than telling jokes, swapping stories and playing golf with his friends. He was devoted to Joan, his wife of 63 years, and together they traveled the world. He is survived by his wife and his daughters, Joan B. Cravey of Atlanta, Carol C. Attridge and her husband Philip of Gainesville, GA, and Dana A. Cravey of Atlanta. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations be made to the Parkinson Alliance or a charity of your choice. The family would also like to express its thanks to the staff at Marsh’s Edge, and our friends Solomon Carter and Wanda Ware for their love and care.
A reception will follow the service at The Lodge on St. Simons.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com
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