Jack Hollis Hufstetler

Jack Hollis Hufstetler, 91, of Dawson, GA, died May 14, 2024 at Dawson Health and Rehabilitation.  Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 am at Mathews Funeral Home.  Rev. Tim Olds will officiate.  Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery with Masonic Rites.

Jack was born at home on June 6, 1932 to John and Pearl Hufstetler.  He spent his early years working on the farm with his father.  After graduating from Terrell County High School in 1949, he worked with the GA Forestry Service and then joined the United States Air Force.  Jack served proudly for 20 years, including in Korea and subsequent stationing in Florida, Oregon, Germany, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina, before permanently returning to Terrell County. 

After retirement from the Air Force, he founded Terrell Construction and was owner and operator for 24 years.  In conjunction with The Soil Conservation Service, Jack constructed terraces, waterways, irrigation systems, miles of drain tile, and many ponds. He was known for the quality of his work. Notably, his ponds withstood the floods of 1994 and 1998.  His expertise helped earn him a Conservationist of The Year award, and led to his service as Vice President of the Land Contractors Association, National President of LICA, and Chairman of the Board for Georgia LICA.

Jack served as District Supervisor for the Lower Chattahoochee Soil & Water Conservation District for over 40 years and Chairman for more than 20 of those. He additionally served for over 15 years on the Golden Triangle Regional Conservation and Districts Board of Directors. He was a member of Dawson Presbyterian Church and Past Master of P.T. Schley Lodge #229 F&AM. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.  As a member of the Hasan Shriners, he took many groups of children to the Shriners Hospital for care.  He was a member the Dawson Lions Club, where he served as President.  Jack was instrumental in the construction of a Veterans Memorial Monument next to Cedar Hill Cemetery in Dawson, GA. He built and operated a catfish farm north of town during his retirement and took great pride in maintaining the property, his fish, and sharing his vegetables; he kept enviable gardens, pine, and pecan groves. 

While always first to lend a helping hand to his community and anyone in need, whether friend or stranger, his commitment to his family was unparalleled. He was a dedicated and devoted husband, and an exceedingly proud father and grandfather. He was fortunate to have the loving support and care of his wife, Arline, for over 35 years. He taught his daughters the importance of education, kindness, and charity, and shared many memorable experiences with them along the way. His dream was realized when both of his daughters completed their college studies and went on to receive graduate degrees. His youngest daughter was the son he never had, and they shared a love of the Bulldogs and Falcons, watching many games together. He took pride in teaching his grandson to drive a tractor and then a truck, to fish, play cards, and to shoot. He was a superhero to his family and beloved by the community. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his seven siblings and his first wife, Jean (McConnell) Hufstetler, the mother of his children.

Survivors include his wife, Arline Hufstetler of Dawson, GA, his children, Debra Raizman and her husband Michael of Wellesley, MA and Tammie McGill and her late husband Ed of Bronwood, GA, and grandson, Daniel Raizman of Boston, MA.

The family will receive friends on Saturday at Mathews Funeral Home from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.

In recognition of Jack’s lifelong commitment to charity, those desiring may make memorials in memory of Jack to The Masonic Home of Georgia, 1417 Nottingham Dr., Macon, GA, 31211. The Masonic Home of Georgia provides children and families in need with food, clothing, shelter, education, and scholarships. Or to The Shriners Hospitals for Children c/o the Hasan Shriners Transportation Fund, 1822 Palmyra Road, Albany, GA 31701. Flowers may also be sent to Mathews Funeral Home.