John Croft

John Clarence Croft, age 75 of Buchanan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 22, 1950, he was the only child of the late Isaac Fuller Croft and the late Virginia Mae Lowe Croft. In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his sisters-in-law, Sharon Jackson and Brenda Kitchens.

A 1969 graduate of North Fulton High School, John continued his education at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and graduated with an associate’s degree in 1972. Always a die-hard Georgia Bulldog, he went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at UGA in 1975. He was employed with Cobb County as a business license inspector for 22 years and retired in 2009. After retirement, John continued to stay busy by working part-time as a funeral assistant at Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel and Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home. An avid outdoorsman, John enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. In his leisure time, he spent many hours watching classic television shows such as Gunsmoke, western movies, and M.A.S.H. Family and friends were the center of John’s life. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at New Life Fitness Gym, where more conversation than exercising took place. He also enjoyed meeting up with his college friends from Athens. But his favorite time was being with his family, especially his grandchildren who lovingly called him “Pawpaw.”

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Elaine Croft; his children Chase & Kathryn Croft and Cathy & Kendall Holderfield, all of Buchanan; his precious grandchildren: Kaylee, Kennedie, John “Hutch” Croft and Ava Mae Holderfield. Also surviving are his life-long friends, Mary Ann & Jimmy Ward, Keith Gilmer, Charlie Brown, Lavern Williams, and Tommy Rhyne; his sister-in-law Linda Baker of Villa Rica; brothers-in-law Randy & Theresa Carter of Tallapoosa and Ricky & Shelly Carter of Rome; as well as many other friends.

Funeral services for John Croft will be conducted on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 4:00 PM at Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. Dr. Allen Wilburn officiating with eulogy by Chase Croft. Graveside services will follow in the Buchanan City Cemetery conducted by Rev. Homer Wysner. Serving as pallbearers will be Brett House, Jade Smith, Randy Carter, Ricky Carter, Ean Cain and Ryan Healey, with his lifelong friends serving as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM.

Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online guestbook below.

Hutcheson’s Memorial Chapel & Crematory of Buchanan is honored to serve the Croft family.