Walter Franklin Fugate

Walter Franklin Fugate, 87, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021.  A celebration of life will be held on September 22, 2021 at 4:00 pm at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Smarr, GA.  The family will receive friends from 2-4 in the Fellowship Hall, prior to the service.  Rev. Keith Harris and Rev. Claire Yoder will officiate.  Burial will be private.

Mr. Fugate, the son of the late Walter Thomas Fugate and Doris Shields Fugate, was born December 3, 1933 in Chickamauga, GA.  His daughter, Lori Ann Fugate-Brock, preceded him in death.  He was a graduate of Gordon Lee High School, the University of Georgia and the University of Chattanooga, where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees.  

Mr. Fugate served in the United States Coast Guard. 

Walt began his career as a teacher, counselor and coach.  In the mid 1970’s, he took a break from education and started his tenure with Dillard Paper Company in Outside Sales.  Following his retirement, he returned to the field of education with Central Georgia Technical College.  

Mr. Fugate excelled in multiple sports, which began his legacy and love for golf.  He won approximately 100 tournaments in Georgia.  He was named Georgia Senior Player of the Year three times.  In 2008, Walt was inducted into the Macon Sports Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Susan Woodward Fugate; daughters, Allison (Sean) Fugate McMenamy of Macon and Ashley Shields Fugate of Smarr; sister, Judi Fugate Bayless of Chickamauga; grandchildren, Josephine, Andrew and Reeves McMenamy and Brady Bowman.

Mr. Fugate was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Smarr, GA.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 261, Smarr, GA 31086.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.