Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Johnny Devoe Latzak

Johnny Devoe Latzak, Sr., 84, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, in LaGrange, Georgia. 

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Linda Williams Latzak; his daughter, Dr. Laura Latzak Keith and her husband, Dr. Jim Keith of Moultrie, Georgia; his daughter, Leah Latzak Beckom and her husband, Lamar Beckom, of LaGrange, Georgia; his son, Johnny Devoe Latzak, Jr. and his wife, Kristi Latzak, of Marietta, Georgia; 10 grandchildren: Kimberly Estes Kelly, Kyle Estes, Linda Keith Dunnavant, James Keith, Anna Leigh Keith, John Keith, Nicholas Beckom, Luke Latzak, Charles Latzak and Jacob Latzak; and three great grandchildren, Keith Dunnavant, Lucas Dunnavant and Wyatt Estes. 

Born in Bulloch County, Georgia, to John Sobieski Latzak and Sarah Elizabeth Snipes, and raised in Bulloch County and Savannah, Georgia, he lived the majority of his life in Greenville, Georgia.

In his early years, Mr. Latzak would work on the family farm growing tobacco. He was an Eagle Scout and semi-pro baseball player and, after graduating from Commercial High School (ROTC) in 1953, he joined the Air Force, serving his Country for four years active duty and four years in reserve. He then attended Armstrong College. He met his wife, Linda Williams, when she moved in next door to him in Savannah. They married on Dec. 14, 1957. 

After serving with the Air Force, Mr. Latzak started his business career. He didn’t spend much time working for others. Always entrepreneurial. Always thinking about different paths to success. He had several businesses across many platforms including a high-end retail furniture store, insurance agency, mortgage lending and property management.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to the Greenville Baptist Church, West Georgia Hospice Charitable 

Fund or donating a Dr. Suess book to any library or child. A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. on March 21, 2020, at the Greenville City Cemetery in Greenville, Georgia. Due to public heath concerns, a memorial service may be held at a later date.