The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA fans, leaders mourn ‘Good Dawg,’ Savannah CEO
1980 championship led to years of work in his community.
Georgia’s governor, attorney general and leaders throughout the state are among those mourning Kevin “Catfish” Jackson, a member of the University of Georgia’s championship team in 1980 and later a Savannah businessman devoted to friends and family and his community.
He died Thursday at 62. “Marty, the girls and I are heartbroken by the passing of Kevin Jackson, better known as Catfish to those who know and love him,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a social media post.
“He was a Damn Good Dawg whose generosity and business acumen made not only his community better, but also the lives of all he touched. We are truly blessed to have been able to know him all these years. Kevin’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayer during this difficult time.”
Georgia’s First Lady Marty Kemp also shared a note of condolence on social media.
As did U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter.
“Kevin “Catfish” Jackson was a larger than life, dedicated, and beloved member of both our #GA01 community and our UGA community,” Carter said in a social media post.
“He made us all strive to be better people, and better Dawgs. He will be deeply missed.”
Born on June 2, 1961, in Rome, Georgia, Jackson graduated from Cartersville High School before attending UGA, where he was a three-year letterman under coaches Vince Dooley and Erk Russell, according to his online obituary. The team followed the 1980 championship with SEC championships in both 1982 and 1983, when Jackson was voted co-captain.
In 1984, Jackson served as a graduate assistant coach for Dooley. Off the field, he was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating and golfing, his family said.
In Savannah, Jackson served as founder and Chief Executive Officer of EnviroVac Holdings, LLC, a company he founded in May 1999 with four employees. The company now employs more than 800.
Jackson also served on the boards of numerous civic and business groups, and was involved in countless charities, according to his obituary.
Former Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Jackson to the
Georgia Economic Development Board, The Lottery Board and The Georgia Ports Authority Board. Last year, Kemp appointed him to the Department of Natural Resources Board.
“Nobody had a bigger heart, stronger drive or deeper passion for the people of Savannah and the State of Georgia than Catfish,” State Attorney General Chris Carr said in a social media post. “His generosity toward all people knew no bounds, and his loyalty to his family and friends was fierce. It is impossible to measure this loss and even more difficult to imagine our state without Catfish.”
Jackson is survived by his wife, Libby, their three children and spouses, and eight grandchildren.
“Kevin ‘Catfish’ Jackson lived large, but loved even larger,” his obituary states. “He was a one in a million man, and he was truly ‘Bigger than Life’ and without question, it was a life well lived and a life full of happiness, of laughter and of love. He will be sadly missed by many.”
Former Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman shared an anecdote that captured Jackson’s civic spirit.
“When I was struggling to get money from the feds to pump sand onto Tybee’s rapidly eroding beach about 20 years ago, and after exhausting all possible options, I called Kevin and said essentially, ‘Man, I need help,’” Buelterman said in a social media post. Jackson arranged a meeting with then U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and a few months later, federal funds helped remedy the problem.
“It flat out wouldn’t have happened without Kevin,” Buelterman’s post said.
The funeral for Jackson will be at Christ Church Episcopal in Savannah at 2 p.m. Tuesday with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Savannah Golf Club. A private family burial will be at Bulldog Haven in Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.
The Book Worm’s weeklong book celebration kicks off Monday and culminates with a festival Saturday.
Book Worm owner Julia Davis said it will be a week full of fun. The festival will include a collection of author panels from local writers as well as themed events and a live mystery. Over 25 authors are scheduled to appear.
“We want to continue to bring the community together through literacy,” Davis said. “We want to see everyone see themselves in a book.”
At 6 p.m. Monday, author Denny Bryce will make an appearance at the Book Worm. Bryce is the author of such books as “Can’t We Be Friends,” about the friendship between Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe; and the upcoming historical fiction novel “The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander,” a story about a “secret interracial marriage among the New York elite, and the sensational divorce case that ignited an explosive battle over race and class,” according to her website. That book is set to come out July 23.
At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Cobb County Library’s Bookmobile will make an appearance at Thurman Springs Park.
At 4 p.m. Wednesday, a celebration of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” including crafts and games, takes place in the Powder Springs Library.
A poetry slam is scheduled for Thursday. Davis said anyone can take to the stage and recite their own poems. The slam starts at 6 p.m. at Rooted Trading Co., 4455 Marietta St.
“We’re still looking for poets, or anyone who wants to do anything that’s a live version of literature,” Davis said.
Friday night, author Vanessa Riley will host “The Case of the Missing Script,” the only ticketed event of the festival. The mystery is at the Green Magnolia House and is from 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $35 and include a box of items used to help solve the mystery.
Riley is a local author who specializes in historical fiction and mystery. Her novels include the Lady Worthing Mysteries, featuring Lady Abigail Worthing, who is “an engaging heroine with an independent streak, a notorious past and a decided talent for sleuthing,” according to Riley’s website.
Saturday is the main festival, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Powder Springs. The day starts with a parade of book characters down Marietta Street at 9:30 a.m.
“We reached out to the schools to dress up as your favorite book characters,” Davis said.
A carnival for children, author signings and several panels have been scheduled for Saturday, as well as food trucks and other exhibitors.
A Mayor’s Reading Club Panel is also scheduled, featuring Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman and Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons. Another option is a panel of independent bookstore owners, including the owners of Brave + Kind Bookshop in Decatur, Birdsong Books in Locust Grove, Read it Again Bookstore in Suwanee and
All Things Inspiration Giftique in Mableton. Davis will moderate.
“I’m excited for the Book Fest and One Book One City next week,” said Powder Springs City Manager Pam Conner. “The One Book One City campaign is a remarkable partnership created and led by Julia Davis and The Book Worm Bookstore and the Cobb County Library System that the city is proud to support and host.”
One Book One City is a Powder Springs program that encourages the community to read the same book at the same time.
The One Book for 2024 is “The Overnights: An Ashe Cayne Novel” by Dr. Ian K. Smith, a book about a former Chicago detective turned private eye who “finds himself in a race against the clock to protect a high-profile Chicago news anchor and solve the racially charged murder of a Black teen by a white police officer,” according to a news release from the Cobb County Library.
Smith will discuss the book with the community at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Hardy Family Automotive Amphitheater at Thurman Springs Park.
For more information, visit the festival’s website at thebookwormbookfest.com.