John "Jack" Sheehan Markwalter, Sr.

John “Jack” Sheehan Markwalter, Sr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and lifelong Augustan, passed away peacefully in his home on May 8, 2025 at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born the youngest of eight children to the late C. Victor Markwalter and Agnes Sheehan Markwalter in Augusta, Georgia on August 12, 1932. He was a very proud member of a large loving family which included 46 nieces and nephews and countless cousins and extended family members to whom he was affectionately referred to as “Big Jack”.

His Catholic faith and devotion to his family were the cornerstones of his life.

Jack was a graduate of Boy’s Catholic High School and Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, where he participated in the U.S. Army and Naval ROTC. After graduation he received a commission to the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. He was married to the love of his life, Marcelene Neely Markwalter, for 67 years. Together, they raised four children, Anne Marie Markwalter Vann (Marshall), John “Jack” Sheehan Markwalter, Jr. (Juanita), Carol Elizabeth Markwalter, Patrick Stephen Markwalter (Courtney), and built a family grounded in love, faith, and tradition. He was a proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, each of whom he cherished and loved deeply.

A man of service and community involvement, Jack was a founding member and former president of the Irish American Heritage Society of Augusta (1980-1981) and was selected as Grand Marshal of the 1997 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He was a lifelong supporter of Catholic education and served as President of the Aquinas High School Booster Club and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Jack’s decades-long involvement in the Augusta community was exemplified through his roles on the board of Brandon Wilde and as a Board Member of University Hospital of Augusta. His leadership, integrity and guidance made a lasting impact on all who worked alongside him.

Professionally, Jack had a distinguished 45-year career in the investments business at Johnson, Lane, Space, Smith & Co. which later became Interstate Johnson Lane and then Wachovia. He was highly respected for his dedication to his clients and mentorship of young professionals. His example left a lasting legacy in Augusta’s business and financial circles.

Jack was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church where he worshipped his entire life and participated in Adoration for over 20 years.

In addition to his wife Marcelene and his children he is survived by his grandchildren: Neely Vann Wyatt (Russell), Laura Vann Stephens (Josh), Melissa Vann Rainsford (Bettis), John “Jack” Sheehan Markwalter III (Tori), Roy Hodges Markwalter (Sarah), Philip MacGregor Markwalter, Patrick Neely Markwalter, Thomas McGehee Markwalter, Sarah Elizabeth Gross (Brian Zordell), Alexander Markwalter Gross, Daniel Joseph Gross, Patrick Stephen Markwalter, Jr., Andrew Barnard Markwalter, James Osborne Markwalter, Samuel Jeremy Markwalter and Anna Elizabeth Markwalter and great grandchildren: Bettis “Beau” C. Rainsford III, Julius Marshall Vann “Vann” Rainsford, John Charles Phinizy “Phin” Rainsford, Anne Catherine Rainsford, Oliver Marshall Wyatt, and John Porter Wyatt.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, May 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM at Thomas Poteet & Son followed by a Rosary at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross celebrant and the burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Aquinas High School: www.aquinashigh.org or St. Mary on the Hill Church: www.stmaryonthehill.org.