Gym is dedicated to educator, coach
A man who was the founder of the Patriots Park Fourth of July celebration and had served as a coach and a member of the county's recreational advisory board was remembered Friday during a gym-dedication ceremony.
Katie Waters (from left), of Evans, Wanda Schulken, of Hephzibah, Diane Waters, of Evans, and Charles Waters, of Martinez, unveil a marker outside of the gymnasium at Patriots Park in Grovetown. The gymnasium was named after Bobby Waters for his many years of service at the park and in the county.
Photo by Quandra Collins
The ceremony named the park's gymnasium for Bobby Waters.
"I think it's a great tribute," said Charlie Beale, Columbia County's Recreation Depart-ment director. "Bobby was a humanitarian. He worked with kids all over this county, not just as an educator, but as a coach, too. He will be greatly missed."
Waters died a year ago as the result of a heart attack while driving along Belair Road.
His wife, Diane Waters, said he was on his way to Georgia Southern University to turn in paperwork for his doctorate in education.
His daughter, Katie Waters, 22, said the honor is well-deserved.
"He would be so excited," she said, adding that the family spent a lot of time either playing or working at the park. "If he wasn't at home, he would be here."
Wanda Schulken, Waters' sister, agreed.
"I think he would be very surprised,'' she said. "He would be happy to know that the people he worked with thought that much of him."
Columbia County Com-missioner Tommy Mercer was instrumental in getting the gym named in honor of Waters.
He said he was motivated to do it because of the legacy Waters left behind.
"He was a genuine person and very dedicated to the county," he said. Mercer and Waters became good friends after he became Mercer's campaign manager.
"I will never forget him, and no one will ever forget the contribution he made to this county," Mercer said.