James M. Feighery

James M. Feighery

Mr. James M. Feighery, 90, of Dalton, died Friday, Aug. 31, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Helen Miller Feighery and an infant son, James Michael Feighery.

Mr. Feighery was an active member of the Dalton community for more than 60 years serving on numerous committees and boards.

He first traveled to Dalton from his hometown of Covington, Ky., in 1937 to work within the chenille industry from his future father-in-law, R.G. Miller. He married Helen May Miller on June 29, 1939. They were married until her death in May, 2002. Mr. Feighery served in the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II and served in both the European and Pacific theatres. He was most notably a part of history from his participation in the Battle of the Remagen Bridge.

He returned to the U.S. and in 1947 he established the J.M. Feighery Co. He used his experience gained through the chenille industry and a lot of creative ingenuity to be a pioneer in the manufacture of automatic carpet handling equipment. The J. M. Feighery Co. holds a number of U.S. and foreign patents on various machines employed in the modern manufacture of carpet today. Most notable, Mr. Feighery was a great philanthropist and contributor to the Dalton community. He served as the chairman of the Trust Committee for the First National Bank, he was the director of First Wachovia Bank, the chairman of the Airport Authority, director of the World Trade Council Committee, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Existing Industry Committee, a lifetime member of the Kentucky Colonels, Trustee of Hamilton Medical Center, member of the Society of Engineers and the Society of Inventors, and the past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge.

He donated generously to Hamilton Medical Center, Dalton State College, the Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital and to the Georgia Sheriff’s Association.

He was a great family man who was well respected throughout the community. He will be sorely missed by those around him.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle “Mickey” and Edwin Norton, Victoria Gordon, Monica and Ron Whaley, all of Dalton; grandchildren, Tammy Holmes, Jim Norton, Michael Gordon, Danielle Ezell, Mallory Whaley and Jeremy Norton; very special friend and companion, Patricia Smith of Dalton.

Private graveside services will be held. The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home today from 1 to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Words of Comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.

Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton is in charge of arrangements.