John Carl Cerny

John Carl Cerny of Atlanta, GA, departed this life into the loving hands of his Savior on Saturday March 27, 2021 at Emory Hospital in Decatur, GA following a stroke.
He was happily married to Louise Tribble Cerny for sixty-one years. Surviving are three sons: John David Cerny (Lynne) of Duluth, GA, Dr. Paul Quinn Cerny (Kathy) of Buford, GA, and CPT Mark Robert Cerny (Kim) of Ewa Beach, HI. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Mr. Cerny was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Tribble Cerny, his brother, Charles Robert Cerny of Punta Gorda, FL, and by his sister, Elizabeth Ann Della Ratta of Schenectady, NY.
John was born May 26, 1930 in Arcadia, FL, son of Charles Frank Cerny and Margaret Goetz Cerny. As a youth, he participated in Boy Scouts, earning the achievement of Eagle Scout. As a young teenager, his Boy Scout training provided him the skills necessary to save his younger sister when her grass skirt caught on fire. The local newspaper honored him as a hero! Later in life, he would serve his community as a Scout Master and a role model to many young men, encouraging them to develop the qualities of a Boy Scout.
He graduated from Charlotte County High School, Punta Gorda, FL as valedictorian of his class. His teen years were spent working alongside his father at Cerny's Garage and Machine Shop as a mechanic, machinist, and welder. It was no surprise when he pursued a Bachelor's of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1951. During his time at Tech, he was active in the band, gymnastics, and ROTC. Upon graduation, he served two years in the Army as a Battery Officer, being honorably discharged in 1953. Returning to Georgia Tech, he earned a master's degree in Industrial Management in 1956 while working at the Georgia Tech Engineering Experiment station (1954-66). During this time, he met the love of his life, Louise Tribble, on a blind double-date, and they were married in 1956.
In 1966, John cofounded Cerny and Ivey Consulting Engineers with Allen Ivey (GT, '56). He and Allen Ivey worked together as the principal engineers until John retired in his early 70s.
John was very active in serving at Highlands Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, functioning primarily as an Elder but also serving in many other areas. He was always quick to offer a kind word or spiritual encouragement. He had a variety of interests including hunting, fishing, reading, shell / bottle / Native American relic collecting, bird study, history, gardening, and Tech football / basketball. He was extremely kind, always others-minded, so well-read that he could easily connect with anyone, committed to the Lord and his family, and quick to say how blessed he was. His family and friends will remember him as a true gentleman.
John made this world a better place and inspired others to do the same. He worked hard but found joy in the journey. He had great accomplishments but never sought out recognition. His children and grandchildren received a priceless example of how to live a life worth living. He was true to his Lord, his wife, his family, and his friends and loved them all generously.
The services celebrating his life will be held at his home church, Highlands ARP, in Grayson, GA at 2pm on Saturday, April 17th.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of John's favorite places, Bonclarken, the conference center for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church located in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina. In addition to being a conference center and retreat for spiritual renewal, the center hosts many wonderful ministry events such Camp Joy, a Christian Co-Ed camp serving those with special needs. https://www.bonclarken.org/.