Remembering Clarence E. Morgan

Remembering

CLARENCE E. MORGAN

Effingham’s beloved Clarence Morgan, 75, passed away Jan. 5, 2022, at his residence. A native of Effingham, Clarence retired from Effingham County Board of Education after 30 years of coaching and teaching but was employed at Effingham County Recreation Sports and Management since 1973, eventually becoming its director. He played many years on the B & B softball team, was part of the Josh Reddick Foundation and very instrumental to the Effingham Navigators. He served on various committees and received many awards with the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association, including Most Distinguished Professional in 2017. He was the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award from the Coastal Georgia Council of Boy Scouts of America.

If you knew anything about recreational sports in Effingham, you knew Clarence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Clarence had the most generous and kind soul. He never met a stranger. I was n “outsider” and he treated me (and the members of Sweat Like a Mother, aka SLAM) like we had grown up in his backyard. When the Clarence E Morgan Complex opened, he encouraged our workout group to move there. He insisted the park was meant to be used by the people of the county. He wanted us there, included us in every event, even asking SLAM to represent during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new gym.

Before COVID, we would see him almost weekly-coming by class just to check in with all of us. He always talked with me about his daughter April because we share the name. He lit up when he talked about her and the boys!

Effingham will surely feel his loss for years to come but will relish in all that he has done for this community for a lifetime! –Apryl Lee

When you hear the name Clarence Morgan you immediately think of Effingham Recreation. I coached my girls softball team and could always reach out to him with questions or issues and he would immediately be there with answers. Clarence coached my daughter on the Effingham Middle School team.

I can’t say enough what a great man he was. As years have passed I have grandchildren that now participate in sports. If Clarence saw me at a game he always came over to say hello and give a hug.

He loved Effingham County Recreation and everyone that participated in a sport as well as the parents, grandparents and friends who were there to cheer them on.

We will all miss him.

–Jan Norton

I founded the Effingham County Navigator Team (ECNT) in 2011. ECNT is a support group and non-competitive recreation program for children with special needs/disabilities. I invited Mr. Clarence to one of our meetings and he came. After hearing the parents discuss how much they’d like to see their children get to play ball he said he would make it happen. And he did.

At our first outing for baseball we asked him if he wanted us on one of the out the way ball fields, Mr Clarence’s response: “No, I want y’all right out front where everyone can see y’all because y’all have just as much right to be there as anyone else.”

When Josh Reddick and his foundation approached Mr. Clarence about how he could give back to the community it was Mr. Clarence that asked him: “Have you heard of the Navigators?” He shared how we need an all accessible baseball field because we had kids in wheelchairs who had to stop participating because the clay would get in the wheels of their wheelchairs, how the children had difficulties accessing the current ball fields. And that was the beginning of the Josh Reddick Stadium.

Mr. Clarence was so proud of the Navigators he would go out of his way to do special events just for them, whether it was a sensory Christmas with Santa making sure each child was given a gift bag or a visit from the Easter Bunny (he had Ms. Brenda dress up like the Easter Bunny). He ordered basketball jerseys. No matter what the Navigators needed he would make sure we had it. He would tell the staff, “Whatever the Navigators need or want, just do it.”

In the beginning when we needed to do a fundraiser, he would let us use the gym for the whole weekend so our parents would have time to set up and cleanup. He made sure the players received trophies.

And one thing many do not realize: Mr. Clarence attended a presentation at GSU about the barriers that prevent people with disabilities face in accessing their community and he learned that lacking adult changing stations was one of those barriers. So when CEM was built, he made not only did the ladies restroom have an adult changing station but also the men’s restroom, because he understood father’s have to change their loved ones, too. He wanted to make sure whether it was a boy or girl they were thought of with dignity. So little Effingham County has something even the Mercedes Benz Stadium doesn’t have, and that’s because when it came to Mr. Clarence, when there is a will there is a way.

And he wanted to make sure ALL kids and young adults had the opportunity to play sports in Effingham County.

Mr. Clarence would tell folks that being invited to that meeting many years ago was one of the best things that ever happened to him; and that resulted in children with disabilities getting to do something they would not have been able to do: PLAY BALL! –Pauline Shaw

As the retired United Way Effingham Director, I had the privilege of working closely with Clarence for many years. He not only volunteered countless hours for the United Way in a variety of programs, but he also served as an advisory board member and Board Chair. Also, Clarence served an unprecedented three consecutive years as our United Way campaign chair in Effingham, raising close to $1,000,000! He did so much for so many in their county. He is irreplaceable.

Coach Morgan was one of the most genuine people I have ever met. He loved his community and he gave 100% effort to everything that he was involved with. But his ultimate love was Pam, April, Walt and his grandsons. There was not a hill that he wouldn’t climb for his family. He was a GREAT husband, daddy and grandfather. Clarence is a true legend and he lived his life making things better for others. Many people will benefit for years to come from the sacrifices that he made. –James W. Dasher

When I started Bike Effingham in January of 2020, scheduling a meeting with Coach Morgan was one of my first calls. The health and fitness of the people of Effingham County was always his top priority! The things we discussed in that meeting will be happening this year and I can't wait to share them with the residents of Effingham! I personally will do my best to carry on Coach Morgan's vision of fun and family-friendly recreational activities in the county.

–Ashley Parker

I have known Mr. Clarence since I was little. He would always let me sneak into the concession stand or the announcers box because he knew how much I loved to help. He always told me he was as proud of me as well as my family. He was always happy and he never had a bad thing to say. Whenever I played a game and he was there at the park, he always made a point to come say hey and give me a few pointers. He was an amazing man and will be greatly missed. – Danielle Howard

Clarence was a great husband, father, grandfather, coach and friend! He always had a positive attitude and a smile on his face. He surely loved his family and Effingham County. He will be missed so much!

–Stephanie Long

Clarence always stopped to talk with me at the ball fields and I always enjoyed our conversations. Both he and Pam are wonderful people. I am so sorry that Clarence passed away and will miss seeing him on the field. God speed Clarence. –John Dean

THE THOMPSON FAMILY: Bringing Family Values to the Workplace

Originally from Pembroke, Scott Thompson moved to Rincon in 1998. He learned the value of a family business and hard work while working for his uncle’s wrecker and septic service, Rahn’s.

In 2004, after discovering college wasn’t for him, Thompson opened the first of several successful businesses “Scotty’s Pottys,” a portable restroom company. Shortly after, he started dating Laura and, in 2006, the couple moved to Guyton where they were wed.

Then in 2008 they decided to add the RooterMan Plumbers franchise to offer other services to their growing company. After selling “Scotty’s Pottys” in 2011, Scott and Laura focused solely on growing RooterMan, and their family.

Seeing a need for a small-town hardware store in Guyton, Thompson Hardware was born in 2017. Scott operated it for several years until his latest venture— Thompson & Thompson Service Group— demanded more of his time.

The Thompson & Thompson Service Group brand was created in 2018 when Thompson added on HVAC services to fill the need of clients wanting a one stop shop. Eventually folding RooterMan into the company and adding electrical services in 2019, Thompson & Thompson has grown tremendously over the last few years.

Gratitude to the Community

Scott and Laura Thompson want to thank their clients and staff for being an integral part of Thompson & Thompson throughout the years.

“We appreciate all of our customers and team members who have stuck with us and believed in us. Loyal customers and great employees helped us get to where we are, and we are thankful for every one of you.”

It has been demanding work building the business and they attribute bringing the value of family to the workplace to helping them achieve success. “Our family is extremely important to us, and we believe that our employees’ families are just as important,” says Laura.

New Owners, Same Great Company

Due to the company’s mission, amazing culture, and success over the last few years, Thompson & Thompson gained the attention of several investors across the US. Recently presented with an opportunity to join one of the nation’s fastest-growing service companies, Scott and Laura have decided to take the opportunity.

“This was ultimately our end goal, however, the opportunity came way sooner than we ever expected,” said Scott. “The new owners will keep the same culture, the same mission, and the same team. The staff is a caring group. They care about our customers and our employees. In the end this is a people business.”

Scott says the new owners have also committed to supporting the same local community organizations they have always supported, including the Ronald McDonald House.

“Nothing will change! Thompson & Thompson will only get bigger and better, and will be able to give back even more to the community. We are extremely excited for the opportunities that will be presented to our team, and for our community.”

Future Plans

Scott says he will be slowing down and enjoying time with his family but at some point, they will create a new family business.

“We want to continue being interactive with the community and helping solve problems. That’s been the key to every single business we’ve had.”

Carrying on that tradition today, Scott and Laura say, “Bringing our children up to know the true value of hard work and what it gets you has been important to us.”

In August of 2020, Laura stepped away from the daily operations at Thompson & Thompson to be a full-time homeschooling Mom to their three children, ages six through twelve. As homeschoolers, they can incorporate travel into their lessons, and with the business sold the family is looking forward to being able to travel and explore the country. They are planning on a trip out west to Colorado, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite National Park.

“We are looking forward to making some incredible memories with our kids,” say Scott and Laura. “But we are also excited about new business ventures as well. Keep watch as we transition to something new!”

Enrolling for the 2022-23 School Year

912-748-4410

www.trinitypooler.org/preschool 320 Benton Dr., Pooler, GA 31322

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GNANN’S FIX-IT SHOP INC.

Ask anybody in Effingham County where to get your lawn equipment repaired—they will all tell you Gnann’s Fix-It Shop in Springfield.

Gnann’s Fix-It Shop has been repairing things for people in this community since 1964. The founder of the business—Bowers Gnann, spent many years repairing anything from toasters to lamps to lawn mowers for his fellow Effingham residents.

Today, over 50 years later, Gnann’s is still running strong; now specializing in sales and service of power machinery and lawn equipment such as lawn mowers, chain saws, tillers, and the like.

The core values of sales and service have not shifted in the least in these past 58 years. Clarence and Charlie Gnann, sons of Bowers Gnann, both run the company that their father started all those years ago. Both Clarence and Charlie grew up working in the store and both know the business from the ground up.

Gnann’s Fix-It Shop is more than simply a repair shop. They are certified dealers of well-known and reliable brand names such as Snapper, STIHL, Exmark, Billy Goat, Briggs and Stratton, Kohler, Tecumseh, and more. Finance options are available for qualified buyers.

Gnann’s Fix-It Shop stands behind their equipment 100% and are always available to answer any power equipment questions you may have. Gnann’s offers full service on most equipment and has a well-trained staff of friendly and knowledgeable mechanics and sales personnel.

If you prefer to repair your equipment yourself, Gnann’s has a superb parts department that is stocked with a wide variety of various parts for all types of lawn equipment. If they don’t have it in stock, chances are they can get it within a short time. Just ask them to order it.

If friendly, reliable, and honest service is what you are looking for, Gnann’s FixIt Shop is the way to go. Whether you need new equipment, need old equipment repaired, or are just seeking the expertise of qualified and responsible mechanics, you will find it at Gnann’s Fix-It Shop. 26 February/March 2022 | www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com

912-754-3745 | www.gnannsfixitshop.com