John Arthur Cuffie

REMEMBERING THE LIFE….. John Arthur Cuffie was born to Jimmie Lou and the late Felton Cuffie on June 24th, 1952 in Sylvester, Ga. He graduated from Worth County High in 1971. He joined Davis Grove Baptist Church. While attending high school, John achieved many firsts. He was one of the few Black students to integrate Worth County High in the late 60’s. John was the star of the Worth County football team and was considered the best running back in the county. He was the first Black football player on the high school team and the first Black student to be awarded a 4 year university athletic scholarship. John was committed to the protection of civil rights. He delayed high school graduation by 1 year as a result of his stand against racial injustice. His respect from others in the community was instrumental in encouraging other Blacks to integrate Worth County High. John attended college at the University of Tennessee at Martin for two years until a career ending football injury. After leaving Tennessee he decided to continue his education at Albany State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1977. It was while attending Albany State that he became interested in the world of technology which would later be a major part of his professional life. In 1979 he moved to Atlanta, Ga where he met the love of his life Gwen Dunham. They married in 1981 and were together for 34 years. From this union was born two children. He joined New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, Ga in 1985 and resided in Oxford Ga at the time of his death. John had an exemplary career with the City of Atlanta for 20 years. He began as a computer programmer and later became the Director of the Bureau of Management and Information Systems. After 20 years with the city he decided to become a full time entrepreneur and focus on his business -- Cuffie Technology Solutions. John also was a member of The Cuffie Law Firm, owned by his brother Thomas Cuffie, for over 20 years where he served various roles including Operations Manager and Technology Manager. In 1998 John became an elected board member for the Credit Union of Atlanta and served with dedication until 2014. He was Vice Chairman for 5 years, Chairman of the Technology Committee for 10 years and a Member of the Credit Committee for 10 years. John was a number one Atlanta Falcon football fan. During football season he never missed a falcon’s game whether attending in person or watching on television. He was a season ticket holder for over 20 years and everyone who knew John also knew of his passion and belief that the Falcons would one day win the super bowl. John leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Gwen; children: John Alex (Syeeta) Cuffie, Dunwoody, GA, and Nicholas Cuffie, Oxford, GA; seven sisters: Dorothy Smith, Stockbridge, Ga, Laverne Williams (Henry), Sylvester, Ga, Beverly Cuffie, Duluth, Ga, Abigail Cuffie Rhodes, Ellenwood, Ga, Jacquelyn Cuffie, Clarkston, Ga, Sharon Harris (Keith), Sylvester, Ga, Karon Paul, Clarkston, Ga; three brothers: Samuel Cuffie (Iris), Toledo, OH, Thomas Cuffie (Kaneta), Atlanta, GA, Cedric Cuffie, Atlanta, Ga; other sister-in-laws, Sharon McMillian (William), Cary,NC, Cassandra Harris (Michael), Columbus, GA; other brother-in-law, Sam Dunham, Columbus, GA; a host of nieces, nephews, friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his sister, Alvera Rhodes.

Tributes

John Arthur Cuffie

June 24, 1952 - September 4, 2015