For more than four decades, John Popham helped shape the City of Demorest through public service, infrastructure development and community leadership.
Popham, who served on the Demorest City Council from 1975 until 2019, died Tuesday. He was widely regarded as one of the longest-serving city council members in the state of Georgia.
Throughout his 44 years in office, Popham played a major role in expanding Demorest’s water system, a project city leaders say transformed the community and continues to serve thousands of customers across Habersham County and surrounding areas today.
Current Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness described Popham as a man whose influence could be seen throughout the city.
“Some people serve a community for a season,” Harkness said. “John Popham served Demorest for a lifetime.”
Harkness said Popham remained committed to the city through changing times, rising costs and decades of growth, adding that he approached public service as a responsibility rather than a position of recognition.
Popham was elected to the Demorest City Council on Dec. 10, 1974, defeating Dr. F.O. Garrison for the seat. Over the years, he also served numerous terms as mayor pro-tem.
Before entering public office, Popham had already established himself as a leader in the community.
A member of the South Habersham High School Class of 1958, he played football for the South Habersham Rebels, wearing No. 25, and was named the team’s best defensive lineman during the 1956 season. He also played basketball and served as captain and catcher for the school’s baseball team in 1957.
Popham also served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1962, attaining the rank of sergeant while working in supply operations. During his military service, he was stationed at Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Dix in New Jersey and multiple duty stations in Germany, including Wurzburg, Wildflecken and Schweinfurt, before receiving an honorable discharge.
His commitment to service extended beyond city government.
Popham joined the Demorest Volunteer Fire Department in 1971 and later served as assistant fire chief in 1974. Harkness credited him with helping establish the city’s first fire department and recalled hearing stories about the department’s early days and the men who built it.
Councilmen Ed Reid and John Popham. (Photo by Habersham History)
Former city leaders have also credited Popham as one of the key figures behind the development of Demorest’s water infrastructure during the late 1970s, a system that became the city’s primary source of revenue and helped support years of financial stability and growth.
Popham, coach, and John Davis, Athletic Director for the Recreation Department. (Photo by Habersham History Archives)
Former Demorest Mayor Rick Austin previously praised Popham and several other city leaders for having the vision to expand the system during its formative years.
“Were it not for Malcolm Hunnicutt, were it not for Perry Hendrix, were it not Grady Tench, were it not for John Popham, were it not for Paul Skelton, during those years, when this water system was being built and the hard work and the hard hours, folks, we wouldn’t have the services that we are able to provide to our citizens every day,” Austin said during a 2019 recognition ceremony honoring Popham’s retirement from city council.
Outside of government service, he remained active in the community for decades, including participation in local softball leagues during the 1970s.
Harkness said one of his favorite memories of Popham was watching him work the grill during Demorest’s annual Independence Day celebrations — an example, he said, of Popham’s willingness to serve in both major projects and everyday community events.
Popham was also known for his friendship with Hall of Fame baseball player Johnny Mize, nicknamed “The Big Cat.” The two were longtime friends, and Popham later served as a pallbearer at Mize’s funeral.
Faith also remained an important part of his life. Family members said he attended church faithfully and read his Bible cover-to-cover 26 times over the years.
His legacy of public service continued through his family as well. His son, Bryan Popham, currently serves as Demorest’s public works director and oversees many of the same infrastructure systems his father helped build decades earlier.
Just last month, Popham was honored with a Congressional Commendation recognizing his decades of service to Demorest and Habersham County.
The recognition, presented on behalf of U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde during a gathering at Popham’s home, brought together family members, friends and community leaders to celebrate the impact he had on the city he served for more than four decades.
Surrounded by loved ones, Popham was recognized not only for his years on the Demorest City Council, but also for the lasting role he played in expanding infrastructure and helping guide the city’s growth across generations.
Harkness said Demorest’s growth and stability today are tied directly to the work Popham put in over the course of his life.
“Demorest is better because John Popham lived here,” Harkness said. “Our water system is stronger because he worked on it. Our community has been blessed because John chose to serve.”
John Popham’s full obituary and service information can be found here: John Marvin Popham Jr. Obituary
