John Monroe DeMent III, 76 of Huntsville, passed away Saturday, August 23rd, at Crestwood Hospital. A devoted husband, loving father, and grandfather, John was born on May 26, 1938 in Athens, AL. He graduated from West Limestone High School in 1956. After first working for the Highway Department in Decatur, he began working for the Huntsville Utilities, where he met his future wife Martha. They married December 23, 1959, and have resided in Huntsville since. John was inducted into the US Army in 1961 and was stationed at Fort Hood Texas with the 1st Armored Division. He served briefly in Germany, and was then discharged in December 1963. While working at the Utilities, he attended the University of Alabama in Huntsville at night, graduating with a BSBA degree in Business Management. Beginning as a draftsman for the Utilities, he worked his way to General Manager of the Natural Gas Department, and retired with 43 years of service. During this time, he also served as President of the Alabama Natural Gas Association and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the American Public Gas Association.
John was a longtime member and Deacon at Southside Baptist Church. He had also been a member and Deacon at Westlawn Baptist Church in the 60’s and 70’s. John loved people, and the activities he enjoyed most reflected that. He was a Master Gardener and volunteered at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. He was also a member of the Huntsville Genealogy Society.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe DeMent and Madolin Adams DeMent. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Martha Tillery DeMent, his daughter Tami DeMent Harbaugh, son in law Joey Harbaugh, and their three children, Daniel, Andrew, and Sarah Harbaugh. John is also survived by his sister Edith DeMent Crabtree, brother, Bobby DeMent, and his wife Joyce, along with five nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 26th at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with the funeral immediately following. W. O. (Dub) McCain will officiate. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens.
