John Courtney

Gaffney, SC - - John Donald Courtney, 79, of Gaffney, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Born on January 11, 1947 in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late John William Courtney and Mildred Alma Stone Courtney.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, William Childs Courtney.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of fifty-two years, Martha Elizabeth Hughes Courtney.  He is survived by his son, John Hughes Courtney.

His family moved to Pacolet Mills, SC in 1951.  He attended Pacolet High School and graduated in 1965.  He entered the U. S. Air Force in 1968.  He received an Honorable Discharge in 1972 while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base located at Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

John was a graduate of Limestone College in Gaffney, SC.  He also received several degrees from the University of South Carolina including a Ph.D. in Education in 1993.

John was employed by Spartanburg County School District 7.  He taught for ten years at the Individualized Learning Center and for thirty-five years at McCracken Middle School as a guidance counselor.  He was both proud and pleased with his service of forty-five years to Spartanburg 7.

He was a member of Grassy Pond Baptist Church in Gaffney, SC.  He served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon for a number of years.

He is also very appreciative of Mrs. Dee Reynolds, his caregiver.  She was always there when he needed her and always offered kind and compassionate service and care.  She also served his wife, Martha, in that capacity.

The family will receive friends from 1:00PM until 2:00PM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Blakely Funeral Home.  Memorial services, with military honors, will immediately follow at 2:00PM in the Blakely Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Martin Hogg and Reverend Mark Gregory officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:  Grassy Pond Baptist Church, 254 Grassy Pond Road, Gaffney, SC 29341.

The family will be at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC