James Franklin Gaskill, age 77, a native and current resident of Thomaston, GA, died Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Upson Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Gaskill was born on November 6, 1946, to the late Ed Gaskill and Grace Evans Gaskill. He worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation for 34 years. After he retired in 1997, he and his wife moved from Cobb County to his hometown of Thomaston. Thereafter, he worked for several years as a consultant for private companies as well as the Georgia Soil and Water Commission.  He was a 1964 graduate of R.E. Lee High School. In 1968, he earned his Associate Engineer Degree from what was then Southern Technical Institute in Marietta. Following graduation, he worked in GDOT's Office of Materials and Research in Forest Park until his retirement.

His survivors include: his wife of 56 years, Johnnie Ann Burgess Gaskill; two daughters: Jennifer (Shane) Holley of Williamson, and Jena (Richard) Jones of Griffin; his four grandchildren: Ryan and Bailey Jones and Peyton and Michael Holley; and his siblings: Alice Gaskill Neikirk of Thomaston and Danville, KY, and George (Carrie) Gaskill of Murfreesboro, TN.

Mr. Gaskill, who was also known as Jim or Pop, will be remembered for his leadership abilities, his work ethic, his love of family and friends, his love of travel, and his willingness to help those in need. To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to continue his legacy of kindness lend a helping hand to those who need one. Pay it forward.

Visitation will be held at Coggins Funeral Home on Thursday, January 4, 2024, between 2-4. He will be laid to rest beside his parents in Upson Memorial Gardens during a private graveside service at a later date.