John Coleman Northcutt III

John Coleman Northcutt III, known to most as “Big John,” passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, at the age of 69, right after watching the Georgia Bulldogs win with Allene, his wife of 45 years, by his side.

John was born August 26, 1957, in Hartsville, South Carolina, to John Coleman Northcutt Jr. and Frankie Northcutt. His family moved often during his childhood, but it was in Dalton, Georgia, at age 16 that the most important part of his story began: meeting Allene.

John attended Furman University before transferring to the University of Georgia to be closer to Allene. What began as a teenage romance grew into a lifelong partnership. They married, raised two children, Allene “Ali” and John Coleman “Cole” Northcutt IV, and ultimately made Athens their home in 1997. Over 45 years of marriage, John and Allene built a life full of family, friends, travel, lake weekends, Georgia football, and entertaining.

John could command a room, but those closest to him knew he was more of an introvert than his larger-than-life personality suggested. Allene drew him out. She was his partner, his comfort, and his rock. During the health challenges of his final years, she became his advocate and caretaker as well, allowing John to continue living life on his terms for as long as possible. They celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary just weeks before his death.

Family remained at the center of John’s life. He was enormously proud of Ali and Cole and the families they created with Evan and Elizabeth. Becoming “WooWoo” to Charlie, Attie, Jack, and Clay brought him tremendous joy. He loved his grandchildren fiercely, and declining health did little to diminish his determination to be part of their lives.

John’s other great creation was Northstar Equipment Corporation. He founded Northstar in 1997 and built the company from the ground up. John trusted his instincts, had an unusual ability to read people, and was willing to take chances others might not. He often referred to himself as a “riverboat gambler,” a description that fit both his approach to business and to life.

In the years since Cole became involved with Northstar, people have regularly reached out to share stories John’s family had never heard—of times he helped them when they were struggling, took a chance on them, gave them an opportunity, or simply treated them in a way they never forgot. John never came home and told those stories himself. He didn’t seem to need anyone to know.

John also had a lifelong soft spot for animals, particularly the ones nobody else seemed to want. Stray dogs, cats, and even turtles found their way into his life, and if John couldn’t take one home himself, there was a good chance he would convince someone else to.

The last several years of John’s life brought significant health challenges, including strokes, hospitalizations, amputations, and increasing losses of independence. Through it all, he maintained his sense of humor and rarely complained. He learned the names of the people caring for him, thanked them, joked with them, and continued to approach life on his own terms.

John was preceded in death by his mother, Frankie Northcutt.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Allene Northcutt; his daughter, Allene “Ali” Carch and her husband, Evan; his son, John Coleman “Cole” Northcutt IV and his wife, Elizabeth; his four grandchildren, Charlie (7) and Attie (3) Carch and Jack (3) and Clay (1.5) Northcutt; his father, John Coleman Northcutt Jr.; his sister, Julie Northcutt; his brother, Timothy Northcutt; and Desmon O’Keith Matthew Smith, his devoted caretaker, whom John loved and considered another son, as well as an extended circle of family and friends.

John built a company and a family. He made lifelong friends in unlikely places, quietly helped more people than his family will probably ever know, loved his wife for more than five decades, adored his children and grandchildren, and left behind more stories than could ever fit into an obituary.

Big John was truly one of one, and those who knew him were better for it.

A service celebrating John’s life will be held Thursday September 24th at 3:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Athens, Georgia. A reception will follow at 4:00 p.m. in the Ballroom at Athens Country Club, with drinks and appetizers served.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Athens Area Humane Society in John's memory. Gifts may be made at www.athenshumanesociety.org