James Howard Massey

James “Doc” Massey was born June 17, 1926, in Webster County, Georgia and died May 14, 2022. He was 95 years old.

Doc came from very humble beginnings. He grew up on a farm during the Depression years and never forgot the struggles his family endured then. He promised himself that his future family would never experience those hardships.

Doc married Walton (Walkie) Bragg in 1945 and they started their home in Americus, Georgia. They went on to have two sons, Donnie and Mike. During their time in Americus, Doc enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends and then later, teaching his sons the sports.

Doc had an innate sense of mechanics, which he developed and put to use in his career. After leaving school in the 9th grade, Doc began driving a truck for his uncle’s trucking company. From there, his hard work and dedication led him to maintaining the trucks and other equipment for the company. He would become a Terminal Manager for Walker Hauling Company in Americus, Georgia. In 1959, he was promoted to Fleet Manager and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he was employed at Walker Hauling’s corporate headquarters. After a buyout by Fleet Transport, Doc accepted a position of Fleet Superintendent Manager for Chattahoochee Brick Company. He remained at Chattahoochee Brick until he retired in 1988.

Doc’s love of family and friends was his primary focus and showed through in everything he did. His humble upbringing molded his views, and his family would lovingly smile about his most frugal lifestyle. Doc wanted to provide a standard of living for his family which he didn’t have as a young boy, and so he generously set aside his own comforts for theirs. Doc truly was a self-made man and will be remembered for accomplishing far more than his 9th grade education provided. His kindness extended to everyone he encountered. Doc loved acting as the “mayor” of his street, greeting all his neighbors as he walked or worked in his yard. He never knew a stranger and ended every call or visit with “I love you” - even if he had only just met that person!

Doc Massey is survived by his son Donnie Massey and his wife, Marilyn; granddaughters Leigh Massey Hayes (Jim Hayes), Megan Massey Ross (Seth Ross) and Nicole Massey Griffin (David Griffin). He is also survived by great grandsons Beau Ross and Jones Griffin, and stepsisters Paula Southwell Heath and Sharleene Yelzerton. He is preceded in death by his wife Walton Bragg Massey and son James Michael Massey.

His funeral will be held at A.S. Turner and Sons in Decatur, GA on Friday, May 27, 2022. Visitation will be at 10:30 followed by a service at 11:00am in the chapel. Burial service will be at 3:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Americus, GA.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to The Exceptional Foundation of Atlanta.









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