Theron Haines Hill

Colonel Theron Haines Hill, US Army, Retired
Former Four Term Mayor of Dahlonega
June 6, 1936 — June 11, 2025
Theron Haines Hill, 91, of Gainesville and formerly of Dahlonega entered into eternal rest at his residence on June 11, 2025. Haines was born June 6, 1934 in Taylor County Georgia, a native of Thomaston Georgia, the first son of the late Theron Hill (1912-2008) & Lucile Parker Hill (1910-2007).

He graduated Robert E. Lee High School in 1952, and entered North Georgia College. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Regular Army Infantry Commission in 1956, and earned his Masters Degree in 1964, from the University of South Carolina. In 1977/78, he attended the United States Army War College in Carlisle PA.

Haines met the love of his life, Mary Carolyn Prickett (1936-2019) while they were students at North Georgia College. Upon Haines’ graduation from NGC, they were married June 10, 1956, and had two children, Jeri and Keith.

He completed 28 years of active duty service in the United States Army and retired as a Colonel in 1984. His Army career included numerous Infantry and Intelligence command and staff assignments in Korea, United States, Vietnam and Europe; returning to NGC in 1980 to finish his career as Professor of Military Science and Commandant of Cadets. He received numerous military awards, which include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with 3/OLC, Combat Infantry Badge and Expert Infantry Badge.

Following his retirement from active duty, he served 10 years as special assistant to the president, and as director of human resources at NGCSU. He was elected and served four terms as mayor of Dahlonega. He served as President of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce from 1985-1986, and was an active member of the Dahlonega Club.

In March 1998, Haines was appointed to the State's Environment Advisory Council (EPD) by then Georgia Governor Zell Miller. He served 3 terms as co-chair of the statewide Georgia Water Management Campaign, a three-year city/county study of water resources. As a member of the Lumpkin County Water Authority, he was instrumental in the creation of Lake Zwerner and Yahoola Creek Reservoir. Haines also served many years as chairman of the Lucky Badger Apple Growers Board in Washington State.

The Hills were devout members of the Methodist Church and have always been active in the communities they lived in, including many philanthropic endeavors, too many others to list here.

Haines was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Lamar Parker Hill (1937-2024) and sister in law, Betty Mathis Hill (1939-2022). Survivors include his two children; daughter, Jeri Lynn (Mike) McGhee, son, Keith Haines (Lisa) Hill, nephew, Chris (Vivian) Hill, niece Beth (Clay) Fears; four grandchildren, Erin Lynn McGhee (Matt) Durham, Travis Barkley (Alex) McGhee, Cassidy Diane Hill (Steven) Kronenberg, Tyler Haines (Sarah) Hill, and six great-grandchildren; Bryce, Nolan, Marley Jo, Evelyn, Eliza, Nathan, George Haines.

Haines will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends. Arrangements are in the charge of McDonald Funeral Home of Dahlonega Georgia. A celebration of life will be 11am Saturday July 12, 2025 at Dahlonega United Methodist Church, 107 S Park St., Dahlonega, GA 30533. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.