John Milton Bovis

1937-2023

John Milton Bovis passed away on February 20, 2023, after a long illness. John grew up in Kissimmee, Florida and joined Sigma Chi fraternity while attending Florida Southern College. After graduation, John joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany for two years. When he returned from his service in the military, he went to work while attending Emory University Law School. Emory offered night courses, and John worked the entire time he was going to law school. When he graduated from law school, he joined the law firm of O’Kelley, Hopkins & Van Gerpen. He was elevated to partner in 1969. When William C. O’Kelley was appointed to the bench for the United States District Court for the Northern District of  Georgia, John formed the firm of Van Gerpen & Bovis, which eventually became the present firm of Bovis, Kyle, Burch, and Medlin. The firm is in its 54th year of existence.

 John was a man for all seasons and possessed many abilities. He was a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, the Old War Horse Lawyers Club and served as President of the Atlanta Country Club. He was the Chairman of the management committee for the firm up until the time of his retirement. John was a mentor to young attorneys and continued to share his wisdom, insight and humor with the more experienced attorneys. He had terrific business judgment, a rare skill for leaders of law firms, and used it well in running the firm. He had a rare combination of ability and skill. He was a seasoned trial lawyer and with his 6 foot 4 inch frame, his legal acumen, and his wry sense of humor, he dominated the courtroom.  But he loved working with individuals and companies. His business clients remained loyal well past his retirement. His practice took him from Atlanta to New York, California, the Caribbean, Switzerland, and points in between.

 John was devoted to family, friends, his church, and to his beloved law firm. Even after he retired he kept track of the firm’s financial and business side, offering sage advice. He will be sorely missed. John is survived by his wife Elizabeth, two daughters, Leslie and Wendy, and five grandchildren. He was laid to rest on February 25 in Dallas, Texas.