John Gandy, Jr.

John Virgil Gandy, Jr., 94, of Savannah, GA, passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023, under the care of Spanish Oaks Retreat. John, the sixth of eight children, was born in Laurel, MS on September 12, 1929. He was a 1948 graduate of George S. Gardiner High School.

He joined and proudly served in the US Air Force, and upon his honorable discharge, returned to Laurel and married the undeniable love of his life, Zelma Ann Melvin. They immediately moved to Baton Rouge, LA, where he attended Louisiana State University, became a Tigers fanatic, and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1956.

Upon graduation, he accepted an engineering position with DuPont in Orange, TX. Always an outstanding athlete, he also pitched for a semi-pro fast-pitch softball team. Two daughters were born while they lived in Orange. It was during this period of his life that he realized that his true gift was working with people. DuPont offered him a sales position, but it would have required extensive travel, and he was not willing to be away from his family that often.

Stepping out in faith, he obtained an insurance license and they relocated to Jackson, MS. There he opened an insurance agency and earned a CLU designation and several security licenses. He was a member of the Civitan Club and a Deacon at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. The addition of two sons completed the family.

They moved from Jackson to nearby Florence, MS in 1968. There he continued with his own participation in sports and could often be seen on the golf course or basketball court. Sharing his love of athletics, he started a Boys Club chapter to provide young boys with early experiences in organized sports. Several of these boys went on to earn college sports scholarships, and a number of them were members of the 1977 State Boys High School Basketball Championship team. John served as head of the PTA, several terms as the head of the area LSU Alumni Association, and as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Florence. He and Zelma also owned several successful small businesses in the area.

In 1997, he and Zelma retired to Skidaway Island, just outside of Savannah, GA. Along with serving as a founding member and Elder at Skidaway Island Baptist Church, he volunteered at the Baptist Center through the Love Mentor Program, tutoring young, at-risk children in reading and math, and as a Gideon, providing Bibles to soldiers, schools, prisons, and hotels. Always the competitor, he played lots of golf and tennis, and scored two holes-in- one…one after each hip replacement surgery!

To truly know John meant that you understood that his life was anchored by a sacrificial love for Christ and others. He freely offered eternal optimism, and a loving spirit to all those he encountered. Countless people revered him as a mentor, coach, teacher, role model, encourager, and compassionate friend.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Zelma Ann Melvin Gandy, his parents Lena Sullivan Gandy and John V. Gandy, Sr., and six of his siblings.

His life will forever be cherished by his surviving family, daughters Trudy Gandy Sauer (Mark) and Zelma Gandy Don Sing, Ph.D. (Sam); sons, John V. Gandy, III, M.D. (Janice, DNP) and Robert "Bobby" D. Gandy; six beloved grandchildren - Allie, Johnny, Jared, Jacob, Ryan, James, and namesake, great-grand child, J.V.; his sister, Sue Gandy Boone; his brother-in-law, Harold Melvin (Peggy), sister-in-law, Joyce Melvin Bennett; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday morning, March 8, 2024, 10:30 am, at Skidaway Island Baptist Church, 2 West Ridge Road, in Savannah, Georgia.

Memorial Donations may be made to Skidaway Island Baptist Church, or to Gideons International ( www.gideons.org ).