John Leo Broadwell, 89, of Decatur, Alabama passed peacefully on November 6, 2024. He is survived by his children Laura Brown, John Michael Broadwell, Nancy Ledbetter (Scott) and Jenny Luelf (Mark) and his grandchildren Kati Brown, Matthew Brown and Riley Luelf Eben (Seth). He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and his sister Joan Henderson earlier this year.
John was born in Atlanta, Georgia in December of 1934, the oldest son of Minnie Lee and Harry Leo Broadwell. His younger sister Joan arrived nine years later. Growing up around a large extended family, John spent many hours outside in the woods, hunting and fishing whenever he could. He had many adventures with his cousins, grandfathers and uncles. During his years at Roswell Public School and Chamblee High Schools, he honed his interest in music and sports. He excelled in baseball as a pitcher during his high school years. When he was in the ninth grade, he received an offer to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which he declined. He loved music and played the trumpet in the high school band. He occasionally sat in with jazz bands in clubs he wasn’t even old enough to be in. After graduation John pursued pre-med in college for several semesters. He later joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.
A private in the army, John was chosen to play trumpet for the Officers’ Club dance band. His shooting skills, sharpened from his years of hunting, were recognized and the army’s artillery team tried to recruit him away from his band assignment. During his time at Fort Benning, he met a beautiful young woman named Barbara Farrington, who taught elementary school in Columbus at that time. He had invited her roommate to the fair and Barbara came along with another friend. By the end of the night, it was Barbara that won his attention and later his heart. After a brief courtship, they were married on March 29, 1959 in Centreville, Alabama. John and Barbara celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this past March.
The newlyweds moved to Atlanta, Georgia and established their new home there. John worked in the banking and carpet industry. They soon began to add to their family. Several years later they moved to Dalton, Georgia where John worked for Coronet Carpet Mills and Thomas Pride Mills as General Credit Manager and director of customer service and later Venture Carpets. In 1972 the family moved to Decatur, Alabama which would become their permanent home. John started and ran Georgia Carpet Sales for several years. He later continued in sales for Tiffany Carpet, Bobby Lang Pontiac, the Carpet Barn and Superior Carpets.
Although busy with his family and work, John found time to play trumpet with the Decatur Community Band and the First Baptist Church orchestra. Through the years he became an avid golfer, with it topping his list of hobbies which included hunting, fishing, sailing, flying, horseback riding, off-road motorcycling and playing guitar. He was an avid reader and a natural storyteller and loved to share about his life and adventures with anyone who would listen. John enjoyed staying active, and continued to hone his golf skills and play nine holes at Point Mallard’s golf course whenever possible, up until this last year.
John loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. He enjoyed family visits and interactions. He was often quiet and introspective but loved to share his knowledge and passions with others. He helped care for Barbara in their later years after she developed dementia and mobility issues.
John’s last adventure involved frequent trips between Decatur Morgan Hospital and Summerford Health and Rehab. He received great care as he fought to recover with hopes to one day return to the golf course. A greater goal was realized: he took flight and landed in heaven, now fully healed and whole with His Savior and Lord, and probably some pretty amazing golf courses!
There will be a gathering this Sunday, November 10th at 3:00 at the Harbor Pointe Apartment Community Room to remember John’s life. The address is 2821 Sandlin Rd SW, Decatur, AL 35603. After turning into the complex it is the first building on the left past the pond.
