Ludowici--Raymond I. Fulcher, 79, died Friday February 26, 2010 after an extended illness. He was born in Harlem, Georgia on December 15, 1930 and lived in Ludowici most of his life. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents James Lloyd and Gertrude McNair Fulcher and six brothers and sisters, James Morgan Fulcher, Adeline F. McDaniel, Lloyd C. Fulcher Jr., Dorothy Fulcher, Anne F. Jolley and John D. Fulcher.
He is survived by his life long partner Janet Marie Watford; his “adopted” son Mike McGowan and daughter-in-law Terri; grandchildren Reagan, Micah and Jim McGowan and great grandson Dylan Sasser. He is also survived by 17 nieces and nephews, 38 great nieces and nephews and 33 great-great nieces and nephews.
Mr. Fulcher graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture. While at the University he earned the rank of Cadet Colonel in the Air Force ROTC program and later served in the Air Force earning the rank of First Lieutenant. He also served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He moved to Long County in 1954 to begin his teaching career and will be remembered as one of Long County’s most successful and influential citizens. As an educator he taught for 47 years, 31 years in the Long County School System where he taught agriculture, shop and forestry. During the summer months he operated the school canning plant and was credited with the throughput of over 775,000 cans of fruit and vegetables. He also taught for 16 years with Central Texas College where he helped Soldiers attain their GED and improve their GT scores. In addition to teaching, Mr. Fulcher coached the high school baseball team for 25 years and the girl’s basketball team for 12 years. After retiring, he also served as Chairman of the Long County Board of Education.
Mr. Fulcher’s influence went beyond the classroom, baseball diamond, basketball court and boardroom. He was a mentor, friend and trusted advisor to many. His career was filled with many awards and achievements too numerous to list. One of his proudest moments came in 2005 when the Raymond I. Fulcher Scholarship Fund was established and the new high school baseball field was dedicated and named in his honor.
As a teacher, he taught many the art of carpentry and the use of shop tools. His forestry classes led many students to careers in land and timber management. A fisherman and outdoorsman, he spent much of his free time on the Altamaha River where his success in catching “white perch” was unrivaled. Much has been written and more will be said about this most colorful and talented man by those he taught, coached and loved.
Visitation will be held Monday, March 1 from 6-8 P.M. at the Ludowici First Baptist Church.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, March 2 at 2:00 P.M. at the Ludowici First Baptist Church with Rev. Eric Rentz and Rev. Stanley Todd officiating.
Interment will follow in the Jones Creek Memorial Gardens.
Honorary pallbearers are former students and ballplayers.
In lieu of flowers the family requests remembrances to the;
Raymond I. Fulcher Annual Scholarship Fund,
P.O. Box 744, Ludowici, GA 31316
Family and friends may sign the online register at www.howardjonesnobles.com .
Howard-Jones-Nobles Funeral Home of Jesup is in charge of the arrangements.