It is with a sad heart that I report the death of Sonny Ackerman.
Those who met him will remember his passion for golf and those who
are handicapped. His family placed obituary really tells it all.
OLIVER PERRY “SONNY” ACKERMAN, JR. After bravely fighting health
issues for many years, Oliver Perry “Sonny” Ackerman, Jr., died
peacefully January 20, at the age of 73. Sonny will always be
remembered for his compassion for others, his love of sports, his
keen wit, and his capacity to never meet a stranger. Every life he
touched would be forever enriched and each individual he met knew
they would have a friend for a lifetime. Sonny, beloved husband of
Jane Powell Ackerman was born on June 15, 1932 in Preston, GA. Sonny
is survived by wife Jane, children and their spouses Oliver P.
“Dusty” and Mary Ackerman, LuAnn and Hardeman Godbee and mother
Billie Bell Ackerman. His beautiful grandchildren were Sonny’s heart
Cody and Haylie Ackerman, Billie and Jake Jones, and Perri Budd. He
is preceded in death by his father Oliver P. Ackerman and brother,
James Ackerman. Sonny served in the Marine Corps where he played
quarterback at Paris Island, SC. He graduated from Georgia State
University and began a successful 30 year career in the Atlanta Real
Estate market. In 1984 a life changing accident caused Sonny to lose
his leg and begin a second career dedicated to teaching the
physically and mentally challenged the game of golf. Sonny began the
Adaptive Golf Foundation and has brought inspiration and hope to
hundreds across the U.S. In a recently published book about Georgia’s
greatest athletes and leading citizens entitled LegendsGeorgians Who
Lived Impossible Dreams author Gene Asher wrote “Never mind that
Oliver Perry “Sonny” Ackerman won three American and Three Canadian
national Senior Amputee Golf Championships. Never mind that his
Atlanta Athletic Club Hall of Fame plaque hangs alongside those of
Bobby Jones, Charlie Yates and Alexis Sterling. What matters most is
the care and concern this native Atlantan shows for his fellow human
beings.’ Sonny will be remembered fondly by friends and family.
Visitation with the family will be held Sunday, January 22 from 6-8
P.M. The funeral service will be held Monday January 23 at 11:00 A.M.
at Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel, 5051 Peachtree Industrial
Blvd., Norcross, Georgia 770-448-5757. In lieu of flowers, if
desired, a donation may be made to the Adaptive Golf Foundation, P.O.
Box 1135, Suwanee, GA 30024. Crowell Brothers Funeral Home, Norcross
(770)448-5757.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on 1/22/2006.
