John Allen “Al” Dempsey Jr., chair of the Columbia County Planning Commission, died Tuesday afternoon after a battle with illness. He was 78.
Russell Wilder, Dempsey’s brother-in-law, and former fellow planning commissioner, confirmed Dempsey’s passing Wednesday, saying he died peacefully in his sleep at his home, with family by his side.
Dempsey had a long career in his native Columbia County, wearing several hats. After serving in the Navy, he went into business in insurance, first as an agent with Life of Georgia Insurance Company and later as the proprietor of his own agency, Dempsey Insurance.
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After retiring from insurance, he went on to manage his own horse boarding and training facility, Simply Southern Stables, in Appling.
An avid outdoors enthusiast, he also founded the Log Hunting Club in 1972.
Amid these endeavors, Dempsey launched what would become a distinguished tenure in public service. In the 1980s, he served on the Columbia County Board of Commissioners for two terms, some of his time spent on the board as chair.
“He was an ally. He was somebody that if he was with you, he was with you,” said Jim Cox, who served alongside Dempsey on the Planning Commission. The two had been friends for some 25 years. “You never had to look over your shoulder or to your left or right to make sure he was with you.”
During his time in the Planning Commission, Dempsey showed a commitment to county statutes while also considering the individual circumstances of both applicants and those who opposed items on the agenda.
“Just a good guy,” Cox said. “He cared about people.”
In one Planning Commission meeting in March of last year, when the owner of a massage business in Evans faced the revocation of her license amid an investigation that found unlicensed employees working there, Dempsey leaned toward compassion. Taking into account the business owner’s difficulties finding licensed employees, Dempsey sought a solution that would both take seriously the county ordinances while not leaving the proprietor unable to work.
“I don’t want to sit here and do something we should not do, to not stand up for the rules,” Dempsey had said during the meeting. “But I have a little bit of sympathy, if we could work out where she by herself was allowed to work and put on some sort of a probationary period.”
In another meeting that same month, Dempsey was the only one who voted to oppose a rezoning request at Stardust Drive in Martinez, because of its potential effect on nearby residents, saying, “I just couldn’t see disturbing what they’ve had for so long.”
District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch, who served alongside Dempsey in the Columbia County Board of Health from 2018 to 2023, during which he was chairman, offered condolences to his family, lauding his public service.
“Al Dempsey was loyal and dedicated to Columbia County, serving in many roles,” said Couch. “I could never thank him enough for his servant leadership and the time he invested in the county. My thoughts and prayers are with the Dempsey family as they remember the man, husband, father, and leader he was.”
Visitation and funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 28. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors at 214 Davis Road. For more information, visit https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/al-dempsey.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
