Memorial service for former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced

Cobb Board of Commissioners recognizes retired Sen. Isakson — *Cobb commissioners honoring Johnny Isakson in Jan. 2020, shortly after his retirement.*

A memorial service for former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson will be held on Jan. 6, his family announced Friday.

Isakson, a Republican from East Cobb who served 45 years in the Georgia legislature and in Congress, died Sunday at the age of 76 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

The memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Peachtree United Methodist Church (3180 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta).

Those planning to attend are asked to have been vaccinated for COVID-19 and to wear masks.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Isakson Initiative, a non-profit started by Isakson after his retirement to conduct research into and raise awareness for neurocognitive diseases including: Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and related dementia.

Since his passing, many national, state and local officials have paid tribute to Isakson, whose legislative hallmarks were for veterans services and education and a commitment to bipartisanship.

In her weekly newsletter, Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell noted that the Johnson Ferry Road bridge over the Chattahoochee River connecting Cobb with Sandy Springs was named after Isakson in December 2016.

“Sen. Isakson has always been a friend to Cobb County,” Birrell said. “He has been a fine example of a true leader and patriot. We can’t thank him enough for his wisdom, advice and service to the county, state and nation.”

Cobb commissioner Jerica Richardson said that “during his time in the political sphere, Isakson worked to reach across party lines and saw people as ‘friends and future friends,’ ” she said.

“Although we may have lost an important public servant, his impact on the lives of Georgians will forever be in our hearts.”

Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid issued a statement saying that “I appreciate his insight, his candor and encouragement of me as a community advocate and later, as a district commissioner. Cobb is fortunate to have a national statesman as one of our own.”

Isakson’s first run for office was a losing campaign for the Cobb Board of Commissioners in 1974.

He was elected to the Georgia House in 1976, then the Georgia Senate in 1992. He was the 6th District Congressman from 1998-2004, and served in the U.S. Senate from 2005 until his retirement due to health reasons at the end of 2019.

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