Richard Bazemore

To know “Dr. B” was to love him. Richard Lee Bazemore, age 69, passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023. Born in Forsyth, Georgia on April 14, 1954, Dick was an accomplished educator having coached, taught, and mentored countless athletes, students, teachers, and professional staff. A graduate of Stratford Academy, he attended Middle Georgia College, the University of Georgia, and graduated from Georgia College before earning a post-graduate degree from Georgia Southwestern and an educational doctorate. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at UGA, many professional associations throughout Georgia, and several civic organizations in Forsyth. Well-known and respected for his leadership as principal of T. G. Scott Elementary School in Monroe County, he was selected as Georgia’s National Distinguished Principal of 2019, and elected President of the Georgia Association of Education Leaders before retiring in 2021. A football letterman at Mary Persons High School in Forsyth and Stratford Academy in Macon, Dick scored the first touchdown in Stratford football history in 1970. He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Forsyth and former deacon. He loved watching the Mary Persons Bulldogs on Friday nights, the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturdays, the Atlanta Falcons on Sundays, and the Atlanta Braves on all occasions. He was an unselfish servant, a devoted husband, a dear son, a close brother, proud uncle and grandfather, and dedicated educator. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Lee Bazemore. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Zellner Bazemore, his wife, Janne Butler Bazemore, daughters Bonnie Claytor (Jim), Beverly McEwen (Scott), and Jannellen Rigg (Kevin), brother Bill Bazemore (Julie), grandchildren Kelly, Brian, and Stacy Claytor, Brandon and Brooke McEwen, and Gracie Kate and Peter Rigg, nephew Will Bazemore (Mary Glynn), and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Forsyth, Georgia, 95 West Morse Street, with Dr. Hambric Brooks and Glenn Gregg officiating. A burial will follow at the Forsyth City Cemetery. Please make donations to the charity of your choice in Dick’s memory. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support.

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences.  

Monroe County Memorial Chapel 86 West Main Street Forsyth has charge of the arrangements.