John William Morrow, Jr., born in 1918 in Hall County, graduated from Booker T. Washington High in Atlanta and served with distinction in the United States Army during World War II. After his military discharge, he returned to his native community and began a career of civic, religious, and governmental service. He helped found the Men’s Progressive Club in the 1940s and became one of the first minority members appointed to the Gainesville Board of Education in 1956. He commanded American Legion Post 521, attained the rank of Deputy Master of the Masonic Order, and was elected President of the Northwestern Baptist Sunday School Convention. At St. John, he served as Sunday School superintendent, on the Trustee Board, and as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. In government service, he was appointed to the city’s Charter Review Commission in 1977, became the first black citizen elected to the City Council in 1978, served as Mayor Pro-tem in 1983-84, was elected by council members as the city’s first black mayor in January 1985, won election again to the city council in 1986, 1990, and 1994, served a second term as Mayor in 1993-94, and died during his fifth term in 1996. Remembered as a humanitarian, pioneer, and visionary, he was joined by countless citizens in working for the betterment of the community and for all humankind.