Remembering James Dulaney, longtime Rome business owner

James Leonard Dulaney

Sept. 17, 1939-Dec. 5, 2014

James Leonard Dulaney, age 75, of Rome, passed on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014. Surrounded by family, he was escorted by angels into his Lord and Savior’s welcoming arms.

A native of Eastaboga, Ala., James Dulaney was born on Sept. 17, 1939. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leila Dulaney Moore and Leonard Bell Dulaney, and his brother, Roger Dale Dulaney.

James graduated from Anniston High School in 1958. Upon graduation, he was employed by Southern Tool Machine Shop. He moved to Rome in 1962 and opened Magic Touch Car Wash. This corporation eventually grew to multiple locations in Rome, Cedartown and Arkansas. In his 52 years in the car wash industry, he served various roles within the Southeastern Car Wash Association and presided as president in 1992-1994.

In 1984, he was recognized as an “Arkansas Traveler” by the then Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton. During this time, James also served as president of the Darlington Boosters Club. In 1993, he received the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year award. James was an active community member participating in Rome’s Bed Race, Cheerful Givers, March of Dimes and other charity events and organizations. He was an active member of the Studebaker Club and anything Studebaker was a favorite past time. James enjoyed working on his farm, traveling to the mountains and most of all, spending time with his grandchildren. He attended Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa Martens Dulaney; his two sons and grandchildren, Brian (Theresa) Dulaney and their daughters, Brittni, Lauren, and Anna Kate, and Barry (Allyson) Dulaney and their sons, Burton and Harlan. He also had three stepdaughters, Tessa (Steve) Davis, Mimi (the late Robert) Weed, and Anna Ward (Jim) Martin. James also is survived by his three sisters, Mary Sue Crider, Montgomery, Ala., Helen Mitchell, Anniston, Ala., Peggy Norred, Oxford, Ala., and one half-sister, Paula Moore, Anniston, Ala. He also is survived by multiple nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at 1 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Dr. Greg Lund officiating. A private interment will follow at East View Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 11 a.m. until the funeral hour at the church. Pallbearers will be his stepgrandsons Marc Weed and Stephen Weed, his nephews Roger Beck, Craig Carter, Todd Carter, Mike Crider, and Wayne Crider, and friend David Monteith. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Alford, Lamar Beck, Don Bruno, John Hicks, David Smith and Dr. Pat Parrino.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW #103, Lilburn, GA 30047 (donate online at lewybodydementiaassociation.org) or Northwest Georgia Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 1501, Rome, GA 30165 (gaparkinsons.org).

Daniel’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.