Joseph Curtis Segars

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Christine Martin Segars and his wife, Nell Tolbert Segars and his sister, Jean Ann Adam.

A graduate of Jefferson High where he excelled in football and basketball,  Segars attended Virginia Tech on an athletic scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and master’s degree from Indiana State College.  A career educator, he was a teacher, counselor and coach at Gainesville High School from 1963-68, Assistant Principal 1968-69 and Principal 1969-85.  In retirement, his association and love for Gainesville High did not diminish creating a 52-year legacy.

He was a man who believed in ‘community’ and giving.  A longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, he was the former president of the Lions Club, member of the Gainesville Touchdown Club, Gainesville Athletic Association, Gainesville Boosters Club, Center Point mentoring program, Gainesville Kiwanis and Georgia Retired Educators Association.  He was a volunteer coach for numerous teams including Little League, youth football and Boys and Girls Club basketball.  He was elected Chairman of the Hall County Board of Commissioners and appointed to the Gainesville City Council.  Privately and compassionately, he mentored and counseled countless teens and young adults toward a productive and responsible life. Dutifully volunteering at the Northeast Georgia History Center and the Good News Clinics were recent passions.

The Segars children shared their Dad with three generation of Gainesvillians.  He is survived by one son and his wife, Alan and Lynn Segars of Marietta, two daughters and their husbands, Laurie and Ben Mason of Gainesville and Julie and Barry Barr of Valdosta; eight grandchildren, Will Segars, Viktor Segars, Ashley and Landon Skinner, Stephen Mason, Brad and Lauren Barr and Alston Barr and two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Greyson Skinner.  He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Bob Goggans of Winder along with his special friend, Betty Jennings.

His family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00 until 8:00 at the Banquet Hall of First Baptist Church on Green Street.  A celebration of life service will be conducted by the Reverend Shon Peppers and Dr. Bill Coates at First Baptist Church on Thursday at 2:00.

Memorial contributions sustaining the memory of Curtis Segars are suggested to the First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Drive, Gainesville, GA, 30501 or to the Good News Clinics, PO Box 2683, Gainesville, GA, 30503 or to a charity of personal choice.

Those desiring to send online condolences to the family may do so at www.littledavenport.com . 

Little and Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway SW, Gainesville, GA, 30501 is in charge of arrangements.