James William Coclin

James W. “Jim” Coclin, 91, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 30, 2017, at home in Atlanta. Born in Augusta, GA, June 14, 1925, he was the son of the late Priscilla Economos and William Coclin. Jim was raised in Waynesboro, GA, where he graduated from high school.

During World War II he was drafted and served in the US Navy aboard the USS Destroyer Marsh as a Quartermaster. After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA). He was a member of Chi Psi Fraternity and served as President. After his graduation, he lived in Beaufort, SC, and joined his parents in the family businesses: “Mrs. Coclin’s Kitchen” and Coclin Motel.

In 1959 he married Georgia Vacalis of Atlanta, and in 1969 they moved to Atlanta. Jim began his career in Real Estate as a land developer with the late Herman J. Russell.

He shared 58 years with his loving and devoted wife, Georgia. Together they traveled and attended the UGA football games for over 60 years. He supported the Dooley Library Endowment and was a founding member of the UGA Presidents Club and established the James and Georgia Coclin Football Scholarship Endowment Fund. He was the quintessential GA Bulldog fan “GO Dawgs 2017”!

He also loved his second home in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, for 33 years which Jim named “Paradise II”. He was a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church and was proud of his Greek heritage.

In addition to his wife, Georgia, Jim is survived by his sister-in-law, Despo V. Lamas, of Atlanta; brother-in-law, James Vacalis and his wife, Helen, and their children George Vacalis, Kristina Davies and her husband, Edward, and their son, Jed, all of Suffolk, VA; additional in-laws Mark and Susy Lamas, Alexander and Steve Lamas, Connie and Caitlin Lamas; a special cousin, Martha Poulos, all of Atlanta; and many more extended family and close friends.

Jim will be remembered for his love of family and his generosity.

The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, May 4, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 5, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral with interment to follow at Arlington Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA.

A special “Thank You” goes to the loving caregivers at Comfort Keepers.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.