Published Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:30 PM
Updated Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:31 PM

 

Tournament founder honored at Gahagan

Mike Fulkerson has passed on, but his legacy remains at Gahagan Park.

Town of Summerville officials and softball players alike showed their appreciation for Fulkerson Saturday during the second annual Friends Helping Friends benefit softball tournament held at the Jerry Blackwell Athletic Complex at Gahagan Park. Over the last several years, Fulkerson has had a hand in many of the benefit softball tournaments held at the park. Before his passing earlier this month, he helped organize approximately six benefit tournaments each year, including the Friends Helping Friends tournament, which he founded.

His presence was missed Saturday, but town officials and new tournament director Scott Strader teamed up to make sure he won’t be forgotten. In between games, Fulkerson’s family was given a copy of a proclamation by the Town of Summerville which publicly recognizes him “for the great impact he has made on the community.”

Jeff Rabun, sports program manager for the town, addressed the crowd Saturday and Jerry Blackwell himself presented the framed copy of the proclamation to the family. Strader and Alex Webb, whose wife was the beneficiary of the first Friends Helping Friends tournament, also personally thanked Fulkerson’s family for his good deeds over the years.

“Three things define a person – honesty, morals and integrity,” Rabun said. “These things are synonymous with Mike Fulkerson. He demonstrated them on a regular basis. Mike was a good man and he will always be thought of and remembered as such here.”

Fulkerson helped strengthen the local and regional softball communities through his leadership and vision. Town officials say his participation in numerous charitable endeavors earned him the admiration of people throughout the community and they want to make sure his contributions aren’t forgotten.

“We tried to figure out what would be a fitting tribute and memorials such as trees and plaques would have been fitting, but a lot of times those things are lost in time,” Rabun said. “That’s why we decided to pay tribute to him with a proclamation that will be noted in the town’s history books. This way, 100 years from now, Mike’s grandchildren will hopefully know what he meant to us.”

This year, 14 teams participated in the Friends Helping Friends tournament, which in the future will be held in Fulkerson’s memory. The Pirates won the upper division and the Crossroads Blue won the lower division. It is one of many charitable tournaments the complex will host this year.

The annual Coast Guard charity tournament is scheduled for next month. The complex also has upcoming tournaments that will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and the Fireman’s Fund.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.