John Reid Carlisle

On March 30, 2021, we lost John Reid Carlisle, a devoted husband, father and grandfather. John was born on March 8, 1942, in Griffin, Georgia and was the son of Henrietta Brewer Carlisle and Ernest Franklin Carlisle Jr. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Ernest Franklin Carlisle III, and his nephew Ernest “Sonny” Franklin Carlisle IV.

A lifelong resident of Griffin, John attended Spalding County Public Schools. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1964, where he met Carole, the love of his life. He was also a letterman and President of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated from University of Georgia School of Law in 1967.

After graduation, John returned to Griffin. There, he practiced law and served in the Georgia State Legislature from 1972-78 and again from 1992-93. After he left the legislature, he was instrumental in the founding and work of the Georgia Civil War Commission to protect battlefields as open spaces.

John was as devoted to his community as he was to his family. He established Plant The Future to beautify Griffin city streets with new trees and to preserve the town he loved so dearly. He also founded Honor Our KIA, an organization that pays tribute to the fallen military service members from Spalding County. He developed several residential and commercial real estate projects throughout the county, including The Dairy, Griffin’s first gated community. Most recently, he renovated the former Coca-Cola bottling facility into retail and office space.

An adventurer at heart, John traveled the world with Carole and his family, and they spent a year living in Oxford, England to broaden their daughters’ horizons. Their love of travel led them to share, own and operate Thomas Travel and Classic Adventures. No matter where they traveled, John passionately photographed their adventures. Behind the lens, he was able to see and capture the very best in people.

John will be remembered as a friend, an outdoorsman and an avid historian.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Carole Conniff Carlisle; sister Henrietta Carlisle Herrick; sister-in-law Catherine Bramlett Carlisle; daughters Flynn Carlisle Livingston and Christine Carlisle Odom (John); grandchildren Carole Reid Livingston, Michael Cole Livingston, John “Jack” Calhoun Odom and Catherine Carlisle Odom; many nieces and nephews; and his very special companions Banjo and Cuba. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Abundant Life Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 1223, Griffin, GA 30224.

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