William John John Allnutt

John was born in Oakland, California, and raised in Arlington, Virginia, by his parents Francis and Grace Allnutt. He was a baseball enthusiast and all around mischief maker with his twin brother, Jimmy, and his best friends, Bob and Dick Webb.

John is survived by his wife, Julie Kathryn Allnutt; daughter Kimberly Mattison and her husband James; daughter Christy Hayes and her husband Chris; grandchildren Jake and Lauren Mattison, Charlie and Lindsey Hayes; and sister Betty Acheson of Virginia. John was predeceased by his father Francis Allnutt, mother Grace Allnutt, twin brother James Allnutt, and a bevy of four legged children with whom he is now reunited.

After his retirement in 1997, John spent time traveling with his wife Julie and visiting with their children and grandchildren. He spent many years coaching his daughters in softball. Recently, John could often be found shouting encouragement to his grandchildren in the bleachers of various baseball, basketball, football, gymnastics and lacrosse games throughout metro Atlanta. John was a longtime umpire for the Marietta Umpire Association where he could finally call a baseball game to his satisfaction without the fear of getting thrown out of the game.

When not with his wife, children, or grandchildren, John volunteered countless hours with several rescue groups including Atlanta Dog Squad transporting rescued dogs from all over the state to their new homes. Along with Julie, John spent every weekend volunteering at the Cobb County Animal Shelter.

John was known for his dry wit and had a penchant for sending funny and sometimes inappropriate emails to family and friends. A lifelong Redskins fan, John hated the Dallas Cowboys and reveled in the glory years of Coach Joe Gibbs. He enjoyed grabbing a beer and dinner with dear friend Roy Babin and lounging around the house with his faithful dogs Ginger and Shadow.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 29, 11:00 a.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill, 1157 Old Canton Rd., Marietta, Georgia, 30068. Visitation with the family will be at H.M. Patterson & Son, Canton Hill, Wednesday, December 28, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. More information can be obtained by calling the funeral home at 770-977-0336.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to Atlanta Dog Squad (http://www.atlantadogsquad.org), Atlanta Lab Rescue (http://www.labrescueofatlanta.com) and Angels Among Us Pet Rescue (http://angelsrescue.org).

John lived a full and happy life personified by the words of Green Bay Packer’s Coach Vince Lombardi, “Any man's finest hour is when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle... victorious."

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA.