In Memorium Of Those Who Serve Unconditionally.
This portion of the Georgia Coroners Association website is named
in dedication of Ronnie Stewart. Ronnie died from injuries received in the
line of duty on a Coroner's call. Please read about this amazing, caring
man and why he is deserving of this high honor from the Association.
Members are encouraged to submit other memorial tributes to
the association for inclusion in this special aspect of the GCA site.
Please see the information and link below to do so.
Coroner Of Henry County,
Ronnie Stewart with his wife Jackie,
1946 - 2005
A young man barely out of high school found himself
employed by the local funeral home in Henry county.
This would be the start of his lifelong career in the
service of others. Ronnie Stewart was that man. He found
his greatest strength in the compassion that came so
easily to him. His experience with the funeral home led
to a commitment to help others in their hour of grief.
Ronnie would go on to serve his community for the rest of
his life.
When asked, Ronnie took on the role of Battalion Chief
for the county Fire Department. Ronnie taught EMS classes
and served as EMS director when they needed someone to
step in to fill a void. It was during one of these classes
that an event occured that would change his life forever.
Ronnie left to answer an emergency call and was struck by a
passing car. Ronnie was paralyzed from the waist down. This
tragic event would have ended the career of a lesser person.
Ronnie was back at work as Coroner six months later.
Through it all, his loving wife Jackie stood by his side and
marveled at his strength. His community and it's leaders were
equally impressed. Those that knew Ronnie wouldn't have
expected any less of him. Ronnie was a man of amazing strength
and determination. He had not yet helped everyone he could.
He knew that he had to get out there and continue his work.
He would humbly say that it was the voters of his county that kept
him working. He was a gentle giant that people loved. They speak
of Ronnie to this day as their big brother, their father figure.
The voters knew a genuine caring person when they saw it and
continued to reelect Ronnie for 35 years.
Ronnie once said; "I get a great deal of satisfacion when I can
make things a little easier for a bereaved family".
His ability to do just that with little effort is what drew
people to him.
Serving as the Georgia Coroners Association Secretary and
Treasurer for several years was his pleasure. He held a deep
fondness for the GCA and believed in it's mission. He believed
in America. He was known to get choked up by the American flag.
He was the type of man that wasn't afraid to show emotion.
Whether it was at a game of his beloved Falcons or watching
a television show with Jackie. He felt everything deeply.
As Ronnie's health declined he prepared his final days and
planned his funeral as well. His idea was to be driven to
his final resting place in the back of the antique fire
truck that he had been instrumental in restoring.
As his convoy traveled through the town square, they drove
it's streets in reverse. Just as Ronnie would have wanted.
It is a great honor for the Georgia Coroners Association to
name this tribute page in dedication of Ronnie Stewart.
His contributions to his community and the GCA will be remembered
throughout history. We are honored to have known him.
He was our friend. He was our brother. He will always be missed.
May we all remember his lessons and strive to continue his gentle work.
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Leroy Sims, Coroner Richmond County
1931 - 2004
Augusta Georgia native Leroy Sims wouldn't remain a
small town boy for long. As soon as possible he
enlisted in the Army. After being wounded in Korea
with a required year long stay in the VA hospital to
recover fully, he went right back out there.
When his enlistment was up he joined the Air Force.
He would remain a career soldier until his retirement.
His desire to serve the public would never be complete
in his eyes. He immediately joined the Augusta Police
Department. Grover Tuten remembers this time well.
They enlisted in the Police force together and became
close friends.
Grover was an Assistant Coroner when he was needed.
Leroy was asked to help out as well. They worked together
for Coroner Woodward for several years. Leroy's
retirement from the police department as a successful
homicide detective and the death of Coroner Woodward,
gave Leroy the opportunity to become Coroner of Richmond
county. It was 1985. He would run unopposed for the rest
of his life. Grover continued to work along side his good
friend for the Richmond County citizens.
Leroy Sims involvement in the Georgia Coroners Association
began early in his career. He was always ready to assist the
association in any way he was needed. He loved going to the
annual meetings. He was especially fond of the Tybee Beach
training sessions and meetings.
Leroy enjoyed his time as President of the GCA. He was most
proud of his involvement in getting the pay rate increased for
call services. It was important to him that Coroners and Deputies
be fairly compensated. We are all in his debt.
Leroy rarely found his job in viewing and pronouncing deaths
easy. He was affected by each one. He used his interests in
coin collecting to reduce his stress from his work. Leroy was
also a wonderful organist. It was common for Leroy to come
in from a case and sit down to play. He had found a way to
ease his mind in the way that we all need in this business.
The events that the Georgia Coroners Association offers each
year to it's members was one of Leroy's favorite vacations.
He loved them all, but Richard Stanley's winter get together was
by far the place he enjoyed the most.
Leroy was named Coroner of the year in 1995.
His two terms as President of the association saw great
progress and rewards under his command. The association now
honors other Coroner's or Deputy Coroner's with an award named
in memory of him. The Leroy Sims Distinguished Service Award
is decided by the executive committee each year.
Leroy was a gentle giant, a man we all looked up to and admired.
Rest well Leroy. Thank you for everything you did for the GCA.
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Joe F. Mason, Jr.
Joe F. Mason, Jr. -MILLEDGEVILLE -
Joe F. Mason, Jr. age 71 went home to be with the Lord on Monday February 4, 2008.
Services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday at Liberty Baptist Church
with Rev. Morris Wood officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
-Mr. Mason was born in Wilkinson County March 19, 1936, he was the son of
Joseph F. Mason, Sr. and Idell Whitaker Mason.Ê He was preceded in death by
two brothers Richard "Dick" Mason and Elton Durwood Mason. He was elected
Mayor of Irwinton in 1956 and was the owner of Dixieland Motel & Restaurant for
more than 30 years. He was the first county agent for Farm Bureau and was the
Wilkinson County Coroner for 31 consecutive years. He also held the position of
District Supervisor for the Central Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission
and was awarded Conservationist of the Year. He received his degree as a Master
Gardner in Organic Gardening. -His love for God and Nature was working in his 12 acre
organic natural garden everyday. He loved talking to people about the way he farmed
and always had a positive outlook and saw the best in everyone he met and loved all
his many garden buddies. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
His family was the most important thing in his life. He always taught them the
value of love, honesty and forgiveness and to always do their best.Ê -He will be
greatly missed by his loving wife of 52 years, Jackie Justice Mason of McIntyre,
his loving children; Joe F. Mason, III (Lynn) and Denise Mason Brinson (Phil) all of Irwinton,
John Paul Mason (Celes) of Milledgeville, six grandchildren; Tania Mason Mitchell (Jonathan),
Joseph Mason, Tyler Brinson, John Cody Mason, John Logan Mason and Olivia Mason,
three brothers; John E. Mason (Dagma) and Larry Mason (Annette) all of Irwinton,
Harold Mason (Brenda) of Milledgeville, two sisters; Winifred Wood (Morris) of Gray and
Annie Rachael Loyd (Bo) of McIntyre.
-Memorial contribution may be made to the Georgia Cancer Specialist of Milledgeville.
-The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at
Moores Funeral Home. -Visit www.mooresfuneralhome.com to express tributes.
Published in The Telegraph on 2/6/2008.
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If you know of a worthy addition to this page
Please email the Association by clicking the button below.
Your nomination will be considered and included in future
updates to this area of the GCA website.
All tributes are written by Annie Thomas-Burke with information
provided by the members of the Georgia Coroners Association.
All articles are the property of the Georgia Coroners Association.
No article may be reproduced without permission by the GCA.
Annie Writes articles, eulogies and tributes for the general public as well.
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