Mr. James Leon Farist, age 76 of Ellijay, passed away on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023 at his residence.

Mr. Farist was born in Gilmer County on March 3rd, 1947 to the late Vernie Lee Farist and Mary Cleo Moore Farist. He retired from the Gilmer County Road Department and was a member of New Light Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Mr. Farist is preceded in death by his two brothers, Vinson Farist and Billy Farist.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Hughes Farist of the home; four sons, Jimmy (Cyndee) Farist of Ellijay, Myron (Leslie) Farist of Dawsonville, Juan Farist of Ellijay, and Michael (Jennifer) Farist of Ellijay; daughter, Murial (Jason) McClure of Blue Ridge; 21 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 7th at 11:00 AM from the chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. Greg Farist and Rev. Max Padgett officiating. Music will be performed by The Farist Sisters: Gail, Renee, and Kim. Interment will follow in Yukon Cemetery. Pallbearers serving will be Stacy, Dustin, and Tyler Farist, Arthur Nicholson, Coby Partin, and Jeremy Hughes.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, August 5th from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM, and again, on Sunday, August 6th from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Food and flowers will be accepted in memory of Mr. Leon Farist.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.