John Thomas Selman

John T. Selman

Mr. John Thomas Selman, age 83, long-time resident of the Texas Valley community died Thursday afternoon, June 16, 2011.

He was the son of the late Thomas Spurgeon Selman and Susie Elise Crawford Selman. He was preceded in death by his wife, LeEllen Stevens Selman, and brothers Richard, Stanley, and Roger.

He is survived by his children, sons-in-law, and daughter-in-law: Anne and Paul Raybon of Asheville, N.C., Susan and David McElrath of Powder Springs, Georgia, Carol and David Estes of Rome, and Lt. Col. John and Betsy Selman of Olathe, Kansas. John was also very proud of his twelve grandchildren: Drew, Ben, and Bailey Estes, Jason, Jonathan, Joseph, and Nora McElrath, Will and Kate Raybon, and John III, Sarah, and Kohl Selman.

He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Owens and Nancy Colston, and one brother, James Selman.

John was baptized in Armuchee creek at Crystal Springs on August 14, 1940, and from that day was a member of Armuchee Baptist Church. He was ordained as a deacon in 1958, and was named Deacon Emeritus in 2004.

John attended the Crystal Springs Elementary School and graduated from Armuchee High School. He was named a member of the Master 4-H Club in Leadership. John earned his B.S. degree in 1955 from the University of Georgia.

John served in the United States Marine Corps, and was on active duty during the Korean Conflict, reporting to Camp Pendleton. He then served in the Marine Corps Reserve, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

John returned to Texas Valley and operated a dairy farm for many years. He then earned his real estate license at age 61. During his life, he also served in many community leadership positions with several organizations, including Georgia Farm Bureau, Floyd County Farm Bureau, Goldkist Cooperative, Georgia Dairy Production Board and the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Services, Interfaith Caregivers, and the Youth Development Center.

John was elected to the Floyd County School Board in 1968, and took office on January 1, 1969. He volunteered to run again in 1970, so staggered terms could be implemented, and was re-elected for five consecutive terms, completing his service on December 31, 1986, for exactly 18 years of service. He served 15 years as Vice-Chairman and as Chairman for two years. He was then elected to the Floyd County Commission in 1994.

John was a long-time member of the Floyd County Democratic Party, a member of the Marine Corps League, and a Major in the Georgia State Defense Force. He received honorary commissions as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Georgia Militia from Gov. Jimmy Carter, and as an Admiral in the Georgia Navy from Gov. Joe Frank Harris.

John was also an informal volunteer at Armuchee Baptist Church and in the Armuchee and Texas Valley communities. He enjoyed transporting folks to the doctor and to get groceries. He gave away many of his own personal resources to help those in need. He was affable, loved to talk, and never met a stranger.

The family expresses their appreciation for the years of excellent care he received at Chulio Hills Nursing Home.

Funeral services for Mr. Selman will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Christian Life Center of the Armuchee Baptist Church, 6648 Big Texas Valley Road, with his pastor, Rev. Glenn Clonts, and a son-in-law, Rev. Paul Raybon, officiating. Interment will follow in the Armuchee Baptist Church Cemetery with the Honor guard from the Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 of the American Legion conferring military rites. Mr. Selman will lie in-state in the Christian Life Center of the Armuchee Baptist Church on Tuesday from 1 p.m. until the funeral hour.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home. At other hours they may be contacted at the residence of a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and David Estes, at 100 Rustic Ridge Road, Rome, GA, (High Pointe).

Pallbearers are asked to meet at the church on Tuesday by 1:30 p.m. and include sons-in-law, Rev. Paul Raybon, David McElrath and David Estes; grandsons, Jason McElrath, Jonathan McElrath and Will Raybon; and good friends, W.C. Dunaway and William Burk. Past and present deacons of the Armuchee Baptist Church are asked to serve as honorary pallbearers.

Please join Mr. Selman's family in honoring his life by visiting www.talleysparkviewchapel.com to post your tributes and memories.

John will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Fred Talley and the staff of Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home is serving the family of John T. Selman.

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