John Lynn Pender, Jr., a resident of Bethlehem, GA, passed away on September 10, 2024 at home surrounded by family following a triumphant 10 year fight with cancer. He was 46 years old.
John was born on November 8, 1977 in Greenwood, FL. He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Alabama. After graduating from Vestavia Hills High School in 1996, he then attended Gwinnett Technical College and graduated with a degree in Drafting Technology. John worked in the Cast Stone Industry for over 20 years as a draftsman and project manager. Always craving knowledge, John reenrolled at Gwinnett Technical College and received a degree in Culinary Arts. He fully retired in 2021. In addition to his scholastic achievements, John authored a book called “Seven Days of Terror”, and was an entrepreneur of Eagle Trading, Pender Design Group, and Little John’s Pastries.
John was a loyal grandson, son, husband, brother, godfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was best known for his infectious personality, laughter, big heart and contagious smile that could truly light up any room. John was a jack of all trades and could pretty much fix anything, especially cars! He loved music, watching movies (his favorite genre was horror), writing, drawing, cooking, hiking, fishing, TopGolf, and the Atlanta Braves. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife Denise and their miniature dachshund, King Arthur’s Chevalier or “Chevy”. John loved racing his 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula and 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA “Lucy” in the 1/4 mile at the track and riding his Harley Davidson.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer on December 9, 2014, he fought to survive for almost 10 years. With a positive attitude, he always strived to live life to the fullest. His personal mantra was “Never Give Up”, which he and Denise stood by until his very last breath. John was enrolled in many different research studies at Emory Winship Cancer Institute and Mass General Hospital. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help others and hopefully one day find a cure. John was very passionate about lung cancer research, participating in several lung cancer walks, and with the help of his family and friends raised thousands of dollars every year under “Team John Rocks”.
John was preceded in death by his grandmothers Mary Robertson and Evelyn Pender, grandfather Theodore Shatto, and Father-In-Law Michael Procaccini, Sr.
John is survived by his college sweetheart, love of his life, and wife, Denise Pender of 18 years; his grandfather Robert Pender, Sr. of Panama City, FL; his mother Tanya Newton and step father Lawrence of Panama City, FL; his father John Lynn Pender, Sr. and step mother Ptlene of Atlanta; sisters Tatom Pender of Alpharetta; Elizabeth Hesseltine (Joshua) of Enterprise, AL; Claire Newton of Panama City, FL; brother-in-law Michael Procaccini, Jr. (Jeanne-Marie) of Hamilton Square, NJ, and mother-in-law Denise Procaccini of Dacula. Their godson Aidan, nieces and nephews Emily, Dylan, Marco, Katherine, Michael, and Olivia who he absolutely adored and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
A private Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of Carter Funeral Home with Chaplain Jimmy Casey officiating. A celebration of life will be held locally in November, with more details to follow.
We would like to thank John’s medical teams from Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Mass General Hospital, Northside, City of Hope, and at the end, Family Hospice. You have all been amazing through the years!
In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorials may be made at alkpositive.org or by mail to ALK Positive Incorporated at 6595 Roswell Road, Suite G2310 Atlanta, GA 30328.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with the arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Lynn Pender Jr., please visit our flower store.
John was born on November 8, 1977 in Greenwood, FL. He spent most of his childhood and teenage years in Alabama. After graduating from Vestavia Hills High School in 1996, he then attended Gwinnett Technical College and graduated with a degree in Drafting Technology. John worked in the Cast Stone Industry for over 20 years as a draftsman and project manager. Always craving knowledge, John reenrolled at Gwinnett Technical College and received a degree in Culinary Arts. He fully retired in 2021. In addition to his scholastic achievements, John authored a book called “Seven Days of Terror”, and was an entrepreneur of Eagle Trading, Pender Design Group, and Little John’s Pastries.
John was a loyal grandson, son, husband, brother, godfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. He was best known for his infectious personality, laughter, big heart and contagious smile that could truly light up any room. John was a jack of all trades and could pretty much fix anything, especially cars! He loved music, watching movies (his favorite genre was horror), writing, drawing, cooking, hiking, fishing, TopGolf, and the Atlanta Braves. Most of all, he loved spending time with his wife Denise and their miniature dachshund, King Arthur’s Chevalier or “Chevy”. John loved racing his 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula and 1988 Pontiac Trans Am GTA “Lucy” in the 1/4 mile at the track and riding his Harley Davidson.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer on December 9, 2014, he fought to survive for almost 10 years. With a positive attitude, he always strived to live life to the fullest. His personal mantra was “Never Give Up”, which he and Denise stood by until his very last breath. John was enrolled in many different research studies at Emory Winship Cancer Institute and Mass General Hospital. He was always willing to go the extra mile to help others and hopefully one day find a cure. John was very passionate about lung cancer research, participating in several lung cancer walks, and with the help of his family and friends raised thousands of dollars every year under “Team John Rocks”.
John was preceded in death by his grandmothers Mary Robertson and Evelyn Pender, grandfather Theodore Shatto, and Father-In-Law Michael Procaccini, Sr.
John is survived by his college sweetheart, love of his life, and wife, Denise Pender of 18 years; his grandfather Robert Pender, Sr. of Panama City, FL; his mother Tanya Newton and step father Lawrence of Panama City, FL; his father John Lynn Pender, Sr. and step mother Ptlene of Atlanta; sisters Tatom Pender of Alpharetta; Elizabeth Hesseltine (Joshua) of Enterprise, AL; Claire Newton of Panama City, FL; brother-in-law Michael Procaccini, Jr. (Jeanne-Marie) of Hamilton Square, NJ, and mother-in-law Denise Procaccini of Dacula. Their godson Aidan, nieces and nephews Emily, Dylan, Marco, Katherine, Michael, and Olivia who he absolutely adored and numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.
A private Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of Carter Funeral Home with Chaplain Jimmy Casey officiating. A celebration of life will be held locally in November, with more details to follow.
We would like to thank John’s medical teams from Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Mass General Hospital, Northside, City of Hope, and at the end, Family Hospice. You have all been amazing through the years!
In lieu of flowers the family requests that any memorials may be made at alkpositive.org or by mail to ALK Positive Incorporated at 6595 Roswell Road, Suite G2310 Atlanta, GA 30328.
Carter Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with the arrangements.
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