Earl LeRoy Babbitt, Jr.

Grovetown, GA - Earl LeRoy Babbitt, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2023, with his daughter by his side.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife George-Ann “G’Ann” Penton Babbitt, son Earl L. Babbitt, III, father Earl L. Babbitt, Sr., mother Mary Bohler Babbitt, twin brother Frank Bohler Babbitt, sister Mary “Molly” Babbitt Barnhart, infant brother Edward Babbitt, and infant great granddaughter Kadence Pledger.

Earl was a native and lifelong resident of Augusta. He and identical twin brother Frank were well known in the community, riding their bikes all around town from Central Avenue to Broad Street. They would enjoy local games at the YMCA and had many friends they met along their adventures. Their mischief was legendary and only outshined by their charm.

He attended Mount St. Joseph School, Monte Sano School and graduated from The Academy of Richmond County in 1951, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the 1951 GA State and Southeast Region High School Baseball Championship team, playing first base. The team was inducted into the ARC Hall of Fame.

He enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 1951, attending boot camp in Bainbridge, MD. He attended pipe fitter’s school in Norfolk, VA. In 1952 he was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict. In 1954 he returned to Ready Reserve.

Earl was a member of St. Mary’s on the Hill Catholic Church and the Knights of the Columbus. He was a Master Plumber and served on the Georgia State Plumbers Examiner’s Board. He was President of Earl L. Babbitt, Inc., Plumbing Company after his father’s passing. He also played semi-pro baseball from the mid to late ‘50’s.

He was a dedicated family man and his wife, son and daughter participated in all activities together. He was involved in a national family camping organization and volunteered to chair a state conservation program as well as chair a national teen sports program. He enjoyed being a Boy Scout Troop Leader, taking the troop on camp outs, hikes, and enrichment activities. Up to the time of his passing former scouts were saying how much of an impact he had made in their lives and was a great example to them. He received the “Silver Beaver” medal, the highest honor awarded to a scout volunteer. He also refereed high school football throughout the state of Georgia and saw many NFL legends in their early years. He also continued playing basketball, volleyball and tennis, and the pinnacle of his career was in slow pitch softball. He played city league, traveled to tournaments, and was recruited by teams in other cities to travel with them as well. He eventually entered the Senior Softball era and was a 5 time USSSA World Champion, named All American and traveled with a team called the “Georgia Peaches” He was also inducted into the Georgia Softball Hall of Fame. When he retired from softball at age 78, he could still hit the ball out of the park. He was an outdoorsman and loved the water and the woods, so he went fishing and hunting every chance he got. Golf was another great passion. He once played 4 rounds of golf and after it was dark a friend would hold a flashlight over the hole so that he could see where to putt. Arnold Palmer was his favorite golfer. He loved the Masters Golf Tournament and one time got to play a round at the Augusta National Golf Course.

Everyone who knew him would say he was always happy and was such a joy to be around. He never got mad and never said a bad word about anyone. He was truly humble and kind.

He is survived by daughter Lisa Babbitt Anderson (Warren), Madison, AL; granddaughters Jessica Evans (Sean), Stafford, VA; Kaitlin Pledger (Grant), Rogers, AR; Kelsey Anderson, Huntsville, AL; great grandchildren Eddie, Alli, Hailey and Harley Evans; sister Martiel Mullis (Dean), Laceys Spring, AL; brother Larry Babbitt (Katherine) of Augusta; numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Sean Evans, Grant Pledger, Ronnie Maxwell, Keith Maxwell, Jordan Maxwell, and Kyle Haakinson.

The family will receive friends Thursday, May 25th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet and Son Funeral Directors.

The funeral service will be Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at the chapel of Thomas Poteet and Son with Fr. Mike Ingram officiating. Interment with Navy honors will be at Westover Memorial Park.

Donations can be made in honor of Earl to the Georgia-Carolina Boy Scout Council Dining Hall Fund. Mail directly to: Georgia-Carolina Council, 4316 Three J Rd, Evans, GA 30809 or visit www.gacacouncil.org/dhcap OR donate to the Youth Sports Program of Your Choice.

“I lived a wonderful life” - Earl Babbitt 5/23