John Christian Ursprung, Jr. of Savannah passed away at home on Wednesday, May 27, 2015.
A native of Lancaster, Pa. he was the son of the late John C. and Grace Ursprung.
He was one of the founders of Campus Publishing Company in 1938 which later reestablished as Cooke Publishing Company in 1952 where he later became owner and CEO.
John was a member of the Graphic Arts Association of Philadelphia and the Union League of Philadelphia. He was President of the Philadelphia Graphic Arts Golf Club. He received the prestigious Gold Key award in 1975 from Columbia Scholastic Press Association of N.Y. He was one of their few non-education Honorees.
He was a member of the National Honor Society and Who's Who in the East (1972). He was a member of Phi Sigma Pi, a National Education Fraternity and a 1938 graduate of Millersville State Teacher's College (Millersville University (Pa.)). He served on the board of the Savannah Speech and Hearing Clinic for many years.
He fell in love with golf at age 11 and was a lifelong enthusiast. He was a member of several golf clubs in Pa., a member of the Savannah Golf Club and the Savannah Yacht Club.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia McCarthy Ursprung, great-granddaughter, Grace Feingold, brothers Robert and Edward and sister Clair Rohm (Pa.).
Survivors include his wife of 26 years Marie Hays Ferdinandsen Ursprung, daughter Stephanie May (Dick), sons John C. Ursprung and Will Ursprung (Pa.), Step daughters, Amy Dressler (Michael) of Ma., Kim Isaacson (Brad) Suawanee, Ga., Grandsons, Col. David W. May (Dawn), Steven V. May (Jacki), Granddaughters: Dr. Cindi May (Steven), Sharon Bell (Bill), Quinn Ursprung (Md.), Step-Grandchildren Colby, Linday, Brent Dressler (Ma.), Noel and Drew Isaacson, Suwanee, Ga., 10 great-grandchildren and brother-in-law Alvin G. Hays, Jr. of Tallahasee, Fl.
The family will receive friends from 11 to noon on Monday, June 1st at Bonaventure Funeral Home followed by a Memorial Service at noon in the Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be private at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park, East in Savannah.
If desired, donations may be sent to St. Peter the Apostle School Educational Fund, 7020 Concord Rd, Savannah, GA 31410 or Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.
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