Gerald Woodward Hargrove, Sr.

Augusta, Ga. – Mr. Gerald Woodward Hargrove, Sr., 80, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024.

Gerald was a lifelong Augusta resident and the proud middle son of Carl Howell Hargrove and Geraldine Woodward Hargrove. Gerald was born in Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, June 27, 1944.

He attended the Academy of Richmond County (Class of ’62) and then the self-described “school of hard knocks.” 

He began his entrepreneurial career very early in life by selling donuts out of the trunk of his dad’s car, which inspired him to later sell beers from the back of his beloved ’56 Chevy. Gerald started with Sears, and his keen business sense led him from the Toy Department to the Augusta Chronicle Advertising Department, to earning the Most Successful Salesman in the Southeast award with Proctor & Gamble. He even had a hand in introducing disposable Pampers to the world. Gerald worked with his brothers, Butch and Phil, at Aarbour Pool & Patio until he ventured out on his own to establish Mar-Shar Construction (1985) and Gerald Hargrove Inspection Services (1986). 

Gerald had a prolific run as a builder in the CSRA, often offering his inspection services or general advice to others in the industry. Gerald was still making plans, to-do lists, and phone calls up until his final days, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

While Gerald’s work was his passion, his greatest accomplishment in life was his three children, Jerry, Jordan and Grier. He had a very close bond with all three and whenever he spoke about them, he was always beaming with pride and joy. His fondest moments in life were spent with his children at Fripp Island listening to Jimmy Buffett and boiling peanuts, spending gamedays in Athens cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, or watching the Augusta Lynx from the sky boxes he built at the Civic Center.

Gerald never met a stranger and was known for his welcoming and infectious spirit that brought smiles to so many. He loved hosting friends on The King Neptune boat down the St. John’s River for “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” during the annual GA – FL game. He was a cut-up, a character and a storyteller that will be missed for his captivating tales that brought laughter, lessons and love. He leaves behind a legacy of humor, wisdom, and compassion, and his voice will echo forever in the hearts of all those who knew him.

Gerald is survived by his former spouses, Sally Nichols Shuford of Spartanburg, SC and Pamela Marsh Hargrove of Grovetown, GA; his three children, Gerald “Jerry” Woodward Hargrove, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, Jordan Marsh Hargrove (Rob) of Sydney, Australia, and Grier Hargrove Whitaker (Jordan) of Harlem, GA; his granddaughters, Asher Ann Whitaker and Margaret “Maggie” Grace Brown; his “favorite children,” James “Jim O” C. Overstreet, Jr. of Augusta, GA and Danny Huff of Thomson, GA; and his caregiver, Christie Williams of Dearing, GA.

The family would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Whitaker family of Harlem, GA, Dr. Rebecca Talley & staff, Leslie Dillard and the wonderful caregivers from CSRA Just Like Family, Inc., and Hospice Services of Georgia for their devoted care.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors (214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907). Following the service, the family will welcome friends to share their favorite Gerald Hargrove stories and memories at a celebration of his life from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Enterprise Mill Events Center (1450 Greene Street, Augusta, GA 30901). The service may be seen by livestream at https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTczMDc2MTU3NDMzNTUwOSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Youth Homes, 1000 Sheriffs' Way, Madison, GA 30650 or via https://georgiasheriffsyouthfoundation.org/tribute/