James "J.T." Thomas Steedley

Fargo, GA Mr. James Thomas “J. T.” Steedley, 80, passed away Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, in the St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, FL, following a short illness. Mr. Steedley was born February 20, 1931, in Ware County to the late Jim Steedley and Gertrude Dowling Steedley. He was retired from The J. W. Langdale Company after 52 years of dedicated service as a forester, was a member of the Bear Run Hunting Club, and was of the Holiness faith. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of GOAL (Great Okefenokee Association Landowners) for many years. He was also one of the last original surviving firefighters from the great Okefenokee Swamp fires of 1954-55 and his efforts were recently recognized in a press release about his views on the changes in firefighting from back then to the present. His assistance on various fires over the past years were recognized with plaques of appreciation from the Florida Forestry Service of the Suwannee River District and the Georgia Forestry Commission for his contributions to the Black Jack Bay Complex fire in 2002 among others. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Micah Steedley. Survivors are his wife of 55 years, Annie Ruth Sweat Steedley, Fargo: one daughter and son-in-law: Rose Marie & Wayne Williams, Gainesville, FL; one son and fiancé: Jamie Steedley, Fargo and Jamie Douglas, Homerville, GA; one granddaughter: Sara M. Williams, Oxford, MS; his special little companion: Bear; one sister: Evelyn Sirman, Lakeland, GA; two brothers: Jimmy Steedley, Fargo and Franklin Steedley, Lakeland; and very special friends: Mary Dean & Billy Hooper, Homerville, and Henry & Elvira Williams, Fargo. He also had three very special "adopted" sons: Marvin Blankenship, Lake Butler, FL, Tommy Hadden, Fargo and Allen Morgan, Millwood, GA and several nephews, nieces and other relatives. Services for Mr. Steedley will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at two o’clock from the Fargo Church of God. Internment will be in the Fargo Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2011 from 7 until 9 p.m. at Roundtree Funeral Home. Flowers will be accepted or donation may be made to the Victory Church of God of Prophecy, % Rev. Bobby Musgrove, 3400 Mullis Road, Millwood, GA 31552. Roundtree Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.