James Ferguson Pack

James Ferguson Pack of Lawrenceville, Georgia, age 90, died peacefully at his home on May 15, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of 23 years, Joyce (d. 1981) and by his wife of 32 years, Kay (d. 2019).

Mr. Pack was born on December 25, 1933, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the eldest child of the late Edna Baldwin Pack and Benjamin Allison Pack. He spent his formative years in Knoxville, graduating from high school in 1951 and, at the age of 17, enlisting in the US Navy. Following a year of training and duty in California, he was assigned to the 7th Fleet in the Pacific. He served aboard the destroyer USS Jenkins during the Korean War, seeing active duty along the Korean Coast. Patrol duties during this time also afforded him the opportunity to visit Japan, China, and the Philippines before returning to Pearl Harbor.

Mr. Pack was honorably discharged in November 1954 and began his studies at the University of Tennessee in January 1955. He graduated in 1960, earning both a BS degree in accounting and a Doctor of Jurisprudence. He was admitted to practice law that same year, and began his career with the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen in Atlanta, Georgia. The following year, he left to join Decatur Federal Savings Bank as an officer in the finance department.

In May 1967, Mr. Pack joined Gwinnett Federal Savings Bank in Lawrenceville, Georgia where he served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for 28 years. Under his leadership, the bank experienced tremendous growth, and he successfully negotiated the sale of the bank in 1995. After retiring, he stayed active in real estate, banking, Gwinnett County civic and charity work, and travel.

Mr. Pack was dedicated to the Gwinnett community. He served many years with Brand Bank and was a Trustee of Georgia Gwinnett College. His many civic and charity interests included the Gwinnett Foundation, Gwinnett Children’s Shelter, Lawrenceville Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts, Rotary Club of Gwinnett County, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Quality Growth, and many others. His dedication to the community was recognized when the Lawrenceville Boys and Girls Club Teen Center was named in his honor. He was also presented with the Gwinnett County Chamber Public Service Award in 1999, and was the 2007 Honoree of the Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia Foundation.

A long-time member of the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church, Mr. Pack served as both deacon and elder. He enjoyed traveling in Europe and studying Greek and Roman history, and his most treasured travel memory was walking in the footsteps of Christ in Jerusalem with his brother Richard. He dearly valued his many friendships, rarely missing a Saturday morning breakfast with the boys at Dicky Doo’s Diner. Mr. Pack’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Above all, he was devoted to his family. Those left to cherish his memory: his daughter Lynn Pack Price and her husband Edd of Braselton, GA; son James Thomas Pack and his wife Christine of Berkeley Lake, GA; stepson Jason Harrington and his wife Linda of Lawrenceville; stepdaughter Allison Harrington of Buford; grandchildren Jenna Louise Zisoff, Jazmyne Kaylin Cain, Kyle Kogan Pack, Charles Parker Pack and James Preston Pack; brothers Richard Pack and Ben Pack; sisters Loretta Maples (Lynn) and Wilma Jean Brantley; and a number of beloved in-laws, nephews and nieces. Mr. Pack was preceded in death by sister, Shirley Mae Hankins, and his brother, Dwight David Pack. The family would also like to acknowledge Romesha Bennett for the dedicated service she provided as “Papa’s” caregiver.

A funeral service celebrating the life of James F. Pack will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2 pm at Wages and Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, GA with Pastor John Batusic officiating. The family will begin receiving friends at noon. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his memory to the Salvation Army, Eagle Ranch or Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church.