O.T. (Tommy) Fulghum

O.T. Fulghum
“Tommy”


AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tommy was born in Wadley, GA on May 16, 1930 to Oscar and Eudie Fulghum. He lived in Wadley and his beloved Coleman Lake, GA for 62 years, before moving to Augusta in 1992. He attended Georgia Military College and earned the rank of Cadet Major. He continued to be an avid supporter of GMC.

In 1950, at the age of 20, he married Margaret Jeanette Garrick. That relationship was soon challenged when only a few months after the marriage Tommy was injured in a logging accident when a tree fell on him injuring his spinal column. He spent the remainder of his life as a parapalegic, but was able to walk with crutches for some 45 years then succumbing to a wheel chair the remainder of his life. For the average person this would have been a life ending event, but Tommy’s strength, determination and stamina propelled him to become a successful businessman. He traveled through the world and adapted his vehicles so he could drive wherever he wanted. From climbing the Eiffel Tower to walking the Great Wall of China on two occasions, Tommy never waivered in his determination.

In 1956, along with his father and brother, they invented the now famous Fulghum rosserhead debarker. It was this feat that catapulted the Fulghum name in the forest products industry. In October, 1956 the family organized Fulghum Industries in Wadley to manufacture log handling equipment for the industry. Fulghum Enterprise was another arm of the family business, with Tommy overseeing the sales and manufacture of fork lift trucks, some of which are still being used today.

Tragically in 1970 Tommy’s father unexpectedly passed away and he was thrust into the position of handling the Fulghum companies. Now Tommy’s passion in his life, the growth and development of the Fulghum companies, began. He oversaw the successful merger of Fulghum Enterprises into Fulghum Industries, and was always at the helm with a drive to make the Fulghum name known through out the world in the forest products field. During his endeavor to expand Fulghum Industries, he achieved seven patents on equipment that are used in the forest products industry.

Even though he was managing a growing business, he also felt the need to position himself in the civic matters of the small rural Georgia town. He was elected to the Wadley City Council in 1968 and then ran a successful campaign becoming elected Mayor of Wadley in 1969. He was also a member of the Wadley Lions Club and a past President of the Club. At the age of 29, Tommy became a deacon in the Wadley Baptist Church.

A pioneer and visionary in the forest products industry, Tommy ventured out and began another company, now Fulghum Fibres, Inc. in 1990 to accommodate the needs of the pulp and paper industry. That company has now grown to some 29 locations in the United States, Chile and Uruguay with some 250 employees.

In 1999, Tommy was attending a class reunion in Wadley and struck up a conversation with his school sweetheart, Joan Fortner. They were married in February 2000. Tommy contracted shingles in 2001 and continued to suffer with the subsequent pain the remainder of his life, but with the love and caring of Joan and his vision for his businesses, he was able to maintain his drive and focus. He also continued his charitable work. He followed Joan and became a loyal member of the Louisville United Methodist Church. Tommy and Joan loved entertaining, whether customers from Japan, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Canada, office Christmas parties, or just small dinners with their closest friends.

Tommy was a member of the Augusta Country Club, the Pinnacle Club, and was an avid, supporter of the Fulgham/Fulghum Family Association. His businesses were his hobby, but he loved fishing whether it was in the Ogeechee River or on a sunny Thursday afternoon with his closest friend Fred Sims in his pond. He took every opportunity to host a fish fry, even if you had to buy the fish.

For those business leaders that dealt with Tommy knew him as a man of his word, a man of honor. They knew of the quality of the product he manufactured, and the integrity of providing the customer with more than they expected. For those employees who worked for him and along side him, they knew Tommy as a gentle and kind man, a caring man for everyone in his organizations and their families, a generous man, but someone who expected to receive as much as he had given.

Tommy is survived by his loving wife Joan; nephews: Heyward T. Fulghum, George H. Fulghum, Jr.; nieces: Emily Fulghum, Susan Mason, Lisa Jensen; sister-in law: Betty Fulghum; great nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, his aide Jesse Gamble, faithful housekeeper Sharon Sturgis, and a multitude of cousins and grateful, loyal employees. His life was full even though he was faced with most difficult challenges he never let them interfere with his vision. He was an inspiration for those who knew him, loved him and worked with him.

Pallbearers will be H. Heyward Wells, Jr., Anthony M Hauff, Kurt Malzer, Terrell Marsh, John Bradley, John Lewis, Robert Evans and Ron McDaniel. Honorary pallbearers will be Levi Hill, Hogarth Sandeford, Officers, Directors and employees of Fulghum Industries, Inc.and Fulghum Fibres, Inc.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Louisville United Methodist Church, PO Box 269, Louisville, GA 30434, and the Salvation Army: 1384 Greene St. Augusta,Ga 30901

Visitation will be Thursday, April 16, 2009 from 6-8 pm at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, Davis Road, Augusta, GA. Services will be held Friday at 2:00 pm at the Louisville United Methodist Church, Louisville, GA with Rev. David Hibberts officiating. Interment will follow in the Louisville City Cemetery.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. A guestbook may be signed on our site www.thomaspoteet.com