John Kicklighter Obituary

Dear Georgeanna and family,
We are so so sorry about John's passing.Our hearts hurt for you.God puts people in our lives for a reason and we are so blessed that John was one of those special people that changed the course of our lives.We will be forever grateful that he hired Phil back in 1973 to coach the 8th grade football team at Lakeside.When he was hired as the head coach in 1983 to take over for Coach Creel we were beyond thankful.Our time with yall at Lakeside during Phil's 26 years there was some of the best in our lives.What great memories we all have.
Your family is incredible.I know your faith in God and your love of family will help you through this hurting time.What a great love yall had..58 years.We will lift you and your family up in our prayers.Love always,Phil and Mary Sue Lindsey

Such wonderful memories...from our days at Lakeside and upon retirement your wonderful visits and discussions with me about our families and goals... inspiring.. as I became principal at Evansdale. and we sat together many times sharing our great and challenging lives. You will be dearly missed by many....Fondly Rita Klee and Family

Georgianna and Family, we are truly sorry to learn of John's passing. We cherish the memories of all of you at Lakeside High School, and the good times we shared. We ask God to give each of you strength, comfort and peace, as you adjust to life here without John. We love you, and have missed all of you so much! God bless you during this sad time in your lives.

Mrs. Kicklighter, I had the pleasure of working for Mr. Kicklighter the last year of St. Andrews Jr. High and the first year of Middleton High School as an English teacher. I was a brand new teacher! That first year of Middleton's existence was a year of drastic change for the St. Andrews school district, and Mr. Kicklighter did a wonderful as our principal. I will always remember him so fondly. I am so sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Nita Legare McCord

Coach and I first met early one August morning in what became a ritual they call two-a-days. I became his Rock and he became my Lombardi. To his family I extend my heartfelt sympathy and appreciation for having shared him with us.

My deepest sympathy to all of the Kicklighter family. Mr. Kicklighter was the epitome of leadership and respect at Lakeside. We had the top high school in the state during his time there. He was a tremendous leader when I attended there and an affable and outgoing person when I would see him years later with Gary and Joan. I know I consider myself blessed to have known him and he certainly left an impression on me and a wonderful legacy in the entire Kicklighter family.

Mr. Kicklighter will always have my love and respect. Though space does not allow the telling here, he taught me a lesson in life one morning that I've never forgotten. In the midst of my personal loss, he took the time to bridge the perceived expanse between Principal and (admittedly somewhat poor) student, and showed caring and compassion when no municipal code required him to. His act of humanity to me that day has been a lesson I've never forgotten. I hope I've lived my life in a way since that time that would make him proud. Russell Davis, Lakeside Class of 1978.

Rest in Peace. The light you gave on life shall follow you always and forever.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

Thanks for being a great principal and for caring about his students.
Class of '71 Middleton High

Dear Kicklighter Family, We were saddened to hear of your loss. We knew Mr. Kicklighter from his time at Charleston Collegiate School. I can't help but see the parallels between his life and that of my own father. They were both military veterans, attended Newberry College, spent their careers molding the lives of young people in both education and sports and sadly, they both experienced debilitating strokes. Mr. Kicklighter and my dad were gentlemen with integrity, and true role models for the students they mentored. My own father passed away three years ago on Feb. 5. Hold onto the love and the memories of a very special man. God bless you.
Lesa Hart Foster

Mr. Kicklighter is intertwined in all of my memories of Lakeside...and those are fond, indeed. His passion for excellence, his love and respect for students, his approachable manner and his unending support of faculty and students all blended to make him so wonderfully unique. He made Lakeside and all of its students proud. Mr. Kicklighter helped make me a better person and for that I'm grateful. I pray God's peace for his family and friends.

While I know heaven is a better place because Mr. Kicklighter has become a resident, it still hurts to know that such a kind, caring and considerate man is no longer here. He always took the time to say, "Hi" and "How are you?" whenever he saw you in the halls at LHS. Many prayers are being offered for the Kicklighter family at this time. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us for so many years. God Bless!
Kellie McMahan
LHS Class of 1982

Remembering his big smile. Class of 1964, St. Andrew's. My prayer's for your family.

I have great memories of Mr. Kicklighter and Lakeside High School. He was a wonderful example to all of his students there. My condolences go to his family.

Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Kicklighter. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family. Please give my love to your mother, John Jr, Frank and Jimmy. I hope to see you soon. God bless you. Your friend,

Dear Kicklighter family, my deepest sympathy goes out to you. Your husband and dad was a great leader, a great man, friend and a great inspiration to many people. He definitely influenced me and kept me straight when needed, which was quite often in those days. He knew how to get his message across in a positive way, and still make his point very clear what his expectations were. He loved and raised a wonderful family. I know he is extremely proud of you and your accomplishments. His honesty and integrity matched by none. Keep your heads high in this difficult time and hold on to the many many great memories and times with him. He led and guided 1000's of young people and our entire community in a very positive way. Lakeside was the BEST SCHOOL in the state under his leadership matched by none. He is in a much better place. Jane, Susie, Joan and John be proud of what your dad did for our community and the dedication he had raising you, he was a special man. I lost my dad four years ago and it is by far the hardest thing I have had to deal with, but hold on to the fact one day you will be with him. It gets better with time, he will always be with you to comfort you and hold you near. God bless you and your families in this difficult time. He will be waiting for you in heaven. Mrs. Kicklighter you were married to a very special man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian Hannon and Family

Please know that your entire family is in my thoughts and prayers at this time. John was a wonderful husband and father and a great friend and mentor to many of us in the honorable profession or educaation. I am so sorry.

Coach Kick and I started in athletics at St. Andrew's in the same year. He was, when needed, a pat on the back, kick in the butt teacher. He helped each of us be better in so many ways, and made each of us feel we had a special loving relationship with him. Thanks to the family for sharing him with us. Hw was a truly fine man, an inspiration to many, and a great leader of men.

Coach Kick and I started athletics at St. Andrew's ata the same time. He was a pat on the back and foot in the butt when needed teacher and I always felt we had a special bond. But then he had that loving bond with everyone he came in contact with. Thank you to the family for sharing him with us. We have lost a truly fine man and a great leader of men.

I'm sorry to hear this news today. My thoughts are with the Kicklighter family for a man who served his country and positively influenced many, many young people. Lakeside Class of 1978.

What a great man and leader of men. Mr kicklighter was a great inspiration in my life and so many others. He will be missed greatly but I hope to get in his school in heaven. He is the greatest principal of all time. I will pray for the family. All 3 girls and john I feel your pain and may god bless you.

I am sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great principal and I respected him very much. He was very approachable and would look for ways to help where he could. In the hallways, he would always ask how my day was and showed a true interest in what was happening in my world. He would ask me to be sure to tell my parents hi for him. Brings back fond memories of my high school days. May God comfort you during this time. I will let my parents know. Class of 1978.

God's comfort and peace to the Kicklighter family; I attended Lakeside from 1983 to 1988 and under his leadership, Lakeside had a reputation unmatched in academics and athletics. I am proud to have been a student who reaped the benefits of such a fine academic experience.

I will always remember Mr. Kick for the wonderful way he treated everyone he met. Whether it was on the field, in the hallways at Lakeside, at the grocery store or when he was raking leaves on Thanksgiving Day, he always made you feel special. He was an amazing man who raised an amazing family. I'm thinking of all of you at this difficult time and praying that all the wonderful memories of him will bring you peace.

John will be greatly missed. He was a calm leader through some challenging times in the early 80's when we served with him as PTA presidents. We treasured his friendship and guidance. The best years of Lakeside were under his tenure as principal. Our sympathy to his family.
Paul and Edna Jennings

I served with Col. K at the 818th. He was a good leader and friend to all. Sorry for your loss.We were a group from Habersham county in northeast GA, he called us the mountain boys.May GOD bless.
SGM Dwight J. Lomax USA RET.

I was sorry to hear the loss in the Kicklighter family of such a sweet and respectable man. Upon reading his life accomplishments, and the many lives he touched, the one that is very dear to our family, were the days when he was a friend and principal at LHS. I feel fortunate that my son was a student under his leadership. He could not have been surpassed as a role model for the students who all loved him.
The friendship of the family has meant so much to my son, throughout the years. I pray the family will have strength, in the days ahead.

When I think of Lakeside, I think of Mr. Kicklighter. A great leader. A kind person who really cared. Lakeside had no equals in the state of Georgia in terms of athletics and academics from around 1970 to 1983. It was the golden age of the Vikings. Truly a remarkable school in all areas. Mr. Kicklighter's leadership was one of the main reasons for this excellence in all areas. He made Lakeside the great school that it was then and still is now. I know you are in a better place now. You made this a better place during your time here. You will be sorely missed by many. I'm proud to say I knew you and that you were a friend in the truest of sense.

Chris Chilton, Class of 1982

He was my principal at St. Andrews Jr. High and at Middleton High School. I always thought highly of him. May God Bless his family during this sad time.

We feel your loss and pray you will find comfort in the abundance of friends and family who surround you. John was a great friend, a dedicated citizen, and a damgood man.

Sid & Claire Johnson

Mr. Kicklighter was truly one of a kind. Great leader and even better person. You will truly be missed. I know I will miss you my friend. Chris Chilton, Atlanta, GA Class of 1982.

I remember John Kicklighter very well from Lakeside High School...a very respected and good man. My sincere prayers are with the family. Another Blessing in Heaven now. I was at Lakeside ...class of 1976....some memorable times back then !

There simply was no one finer. I knew Coach at St. Andrew's, then when he started Middleton. That was Camelot and he was Aethur. And from the comments here from Lakeside, his magic spread. Coach John Kicklighter. You made us all so much better.

Mr. Kicklighter was such an accomplished and great man and will always be fondly remembered. He was principal while I attended Lakeside High School and was always very professional and nice. He used to say that our class was extra special because his son John was in it. He treated us all that way, like we were special to him, and I could tell that he greatly cared for us and for all the students in the school. I am so glad to have seen and known such an honorable man during those high school years. My heart goes out to his wonderful family and I pray they find peace while cherishing good memories.

I didn't know Mr. Kicklighter very well, but I remember what an impression it made on me, way back in about 1971, when I went to a football tryout early one Saturday morning at Middleton. I don't know why it surprised me, but there he was, unshaven and in casual clothes, spending his precious Saturday morning with us. I was very impressed that this important man cared enough to come to an early try out to get a look at these scrawny boys and I felt his love and care for us. It made a huge impression on me. I recall he was wearing black and white saddle oxfords, and even now, I think of him whenever I put on a pair of saddle oxfords (even if they are all brown). He was a sincere, great man who lived a good life and guided many young people positively in their formative years. A Toast to John Kicklighter! He was one of the great ones.

I was a student at Lakeside High School while Mr. Kicklighter was Principle. He was a great man and a fantastic leader! May God Bless your family! Jerry Jordan

I am so sorry to hear this. I remember "Mr. Kicklighter" at Middleton High School back in 1971, always walking around with a cup of coffee in his hand.
My condolences to his family.
Kathy Flippo
Tallahassee, FL

John Kicklighter touched many lives and left lasting impressions on so many people. His was a life well-lived.

Pastor Fred Suhr
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Lakeside Class of 1975

I was a student at Lakeside High from 1972-1977 and remember Mr. Kicklighter as a good principal. My prayers are with your family.
--Rebecca Newsom, Lakeside Class of 1977

Rest in peace, Mr. Kicklighter. And to the Kicklighter family, I pray God's abundant peace upon you during your time of loss.

Lakeside High School
Class of 1986

I am very sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful man. I first met Coach Kicklighter when I was a student at St. Andrew Jr. High then when my children were students at Sea Island Academy they came home talking about the awesome new Athletic Director, John Kicklighter. I did not think it was possible but then at the football game here he comes walking across the field. I introduced myself and he laughed, hugged me and said that I must have been one of the good ones because he did not remember me.
He was wonderful with my children but most especially with my daughter, he helped her through a very difficult time and I will be ever grateful. Godspeed Coach!

There are the few in life who leave us with only good memories - for me, John Kicklighter was such a man. He was "Coach" to me in the early sixties at St. Andrews. Growing up without a father, I think I saw him as a father figure and took his direction to heart more than others may have. When I played the End position on the JV Football Team, Coach said, "If you can see it, you can touch it; if you can touch it, you can catch it!" - good advice for football or life's competitions. I've passed that on to my son and he will pass it on to his children. I am fortunate that I was able to tell that to Coach and Mrs. Kicklighter, when I ran into them last year. It meant a great deal to me, and he said it did to him, as well - Coach knew how to say the right things......

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful man who I always admired and enjoyed seeing. John was my basketball coach at St Andrews High School and a masterful coach at that. I know he'll be sorely missed by not only his family, but the "St Andrews Family" of ball players. Alan Goer

Dear Kicklighter family
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of a great man! He and your family were such a positive impact on our community and school. The Lakeside family and mine will miss him and remember him fondly
Kirby Pate

What a delight to have known John and his family while our children were in Lakeside, and in later years. He was a wonderful principal and friend. He will be sorely missed by many. Our love and condolences go to his family....Ed and Frances Butler, Sr.

T0 the kicklighter family hope every one is doing well hold your head up high no one should have any regrets because you all took great care of him to the end, i didnt say not to cry because ,because its ok to cry because i know you are going to miss him dearly but know earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal take hope to see you all again soo margarita from the hospital.

When Mr. Kicklighter came to Lakeside as principal, I came as his secretary. We learned together. He was a wonderful principal, boss and friend. I enjoyed knowing his family and extend my heartfelt sympathy.

Dear Friends, the Kicklighters were close friends to my family and me for many years. The "Ole Coach" was a good one with a sparkle in his eyes and a funny story to tell. He was the kind of person who would be a friend for life. I will miss him. He made a difference in the lives of all the boys he coached. Rick Gilstrap

As a co-worker with John , I remember him as being a highly respected principal at one of Georgia's best high schools.John had a positive impact on a lot of students and teachers . I have many fond memories of this leader who always made you feel welcome at Lakeside .

Dear Kicklighters,

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I will attend the service Thursday representing my aunt Ruth Kirby Sanders of Atlanta (Lakeside High School) who thinks so much of Mr. Kicklighter and all of you; in fact, I had already scheduled to bring her to Charleston to visit him next Wednesday, February 22.

Lydia Ann Kilgore Breedlove

So sorry for the loss, the coach was a really good person, he had the ability to treat a non jock, football, basketball, to the average student the same and always push them to excell in there future and not what someone else thought they should do.

My father, Charles Pugh, was a photographer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and thought the world of Mr. Kicklighter. When he was sent to Lakeside High School to photograph football players, he said Mr. Kicklighter was always very cooperative.
Then in 1973, I transferred from Briarcliff H.S. to Lakeside..best career move I could have moved. Mr. Kicklighter was my principal and was excellent.
My deepest sympathy to Georgeanna and family,
CharleAnne Pugh Sher