John Howard Templeton

John Howard Templeton of Clayton, GA died peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 9th, 2026. He was the son of the late Dr. Loyd Templeton and Virginia McKelvey; brother to Loyd, Tom, and Virginia; and loving family member to Annie Laurie “Peedie” Peeler and her daughter, Laurie. He leaves John Siegel, his beloved husband and partner of 38 years; his sister, Virginia; his devoted children, Anne Peeler Isaac, George Bowden Templeton and Virginia Hood Templeton-Plever; John Siegel’s devoted children Melissa Siegel, John Siegel, Jr. (deceased), Lisa Ackerman, David Siegel and William Siegel; and 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

John was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He married Beverly Bowden in 1959, and they had three children, Anne, Bowden, and Ginna. The family moved to Greenville, South Carolina when John was hired to teach at Christ Episcopal School. While teaching there, John was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. This began a lifelong relationship with the church and led him to earn a Master’s of Divinity from the University of the South. After his ordination, he spent the next two decades serving as a priest in South Carolina and Georgia.

John earned a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Georgia and interned at AID Atlanta. In 1988, he met John Siegel, and they became the Johns. John S. has been his beloved and devoted partner since. John T. continued to teach and serve his community at Grady Memorial Hospital, eventually becoming the Director of AIDS Education until his retirement.

John T. wrote for several publications, including The Advocate and a weekly column in a local paper about his life with John S. The Johns lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before making their home together in Clayton, Georgia. The two collected art, especially outsider art. In Clayton, John was active in local theatre and at Saint James Episcopal Church, where he created the flower committee. A talented florist, John established the Flower Festival, now in its 15th year, at Saint James. He also started The Glorious Daisy and delighted in creating floral arrangements for the community.

The writer, Lillian Smith, was the sister of John’s cherished sister, Peedie. As a young man, John enjoyed looking at the galleys of Lillian’s upcoming books. He served on the Lillian Smith Center Advisory Board and enjoyed hosting the visiting writers and artists – and occasionally Buseye - who came to the center to create. He and John Siegel have lived on the grounds of the Lillian Smith Center since 2010 in a house filled with flowers, art and love.

John’s life will be celebrated on Sunday, January 18 at 2pm at Saint James Church on 260 Warwoman Road. Memorials to honor John can be made to Saint James Episcopal Church for their Outreach and Flower Festival at 299 Rickman Street, Clayton, GA 30525.

Hunter Funeral Home is honored to help serve the family of John Templeton.