John HERTWIG Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
HERTWIG, John John Craig (Sky) Hertwig January, 1952- May 30, 2012 John Craig (Sky) Hertwig passed away May 30th, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, Georgia following a brief illness. Craig was born January 15, 1952 in Columbus, GA to Edward J. Hertwig Jr. and Merritt Bell Hertwig, both deceased. Craig graduated from Mark Smith High School in Macon, GA and went to the University of Georgia on a football scholarship. He was All-American and All SEC for UGA; and a third round Detroit Lions draft selection in the NFL and later played for the Buffalo Bills. He was inducted into the Macon, GA Sports Hall of Fame. Craig was the owner of the Fifth Quarter, Sky's Place, the Nowhere Bar and other local establishments in Athens GA. He was an avid golfer who enjoyed competing in state and national tournaments as well as playing on international courses such as St. Andrews in Scotland. Above all, Craig was a loyal Georgia Bulldog player and fan. He traveled the SEC in his Bulldog RV, attended men's basketball games always cheering from his seat in section J. and proudly wore his red and black! Craig is survived by his brother, Ed Hertwig (Camilla) of Greenville, SC two sisters, Merry H. Johnson (Hunter) of Macon, GA, and Willa Hertwig of Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Nephews, Rob Patterson (Lynne) of Macon, GA, Jay Hertwig (Leslie) of Greensboro, NC, David Hertwig (Carrie) of Greenville, SC and Greg Hertwig (Katie) of Greenville, SC; one niece, Marci Hipp of Macon, Ga. Craig is also survived by seven great nieces and two great nephews as well as his dog, Cleo. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 2nd at 1:00 pm with visitation immediately following at Lord and Stephens, WEST. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Craig Hertwig, "The Sky Spirit Award" to be given to a UGA student. The fund is at the Oconee State Bank, PO Box 205, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677 or can be dropped off at any Oconee State Bank. Lord and Stephens, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.
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June Heard
June 4, 2021
I sure do miss Sky. He was the best to give hugs to and get hugs from. I’ll never know anyone like him ever again. Definitely one of a kind. ❤❤
Gene Kimberly
June 7, 2012
Ed, Mary & Willa, I will always remember him as a gentle giant and I am a better person for having known him. Craig always had a smile and a kind word. I will MISS him. Leslie "Gene" Kimberly
George Hicks
June 5, 2012
Sky was a great person and I miss his friendship.
I will always remember the 4th July parties and hope that the jogging giant is running on streets of gold.
Jim Massey
June 5, 2012
Sky's immediate family, Bulldog Nation and Athens Community, we are all in mourning and my prayers go out for all of us.
Ever since Craig Hertwig came to Georgia to play football, he was impressive. I remember all of the guys on the football team and many on the basketball team were impressed with his size and ability. He was probably the first 6 foot 8 football player that we had. Sky was loyal to Athens and showed it by moving back after his pro football career. Sky was a extremely big supporter of the football and basketball teams both men and women's as well as other sports. My visits home all ways included a stop by Nowhere Bar to see Sky. He will be sorely missed!
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Mark Lander
June 4, 2012
I never met Craig, but I knew his mother. She was an old friend of my father, Frank Lander. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this time of grief.
June 4, 2012
He was always smiling and ready to go to a football or basketball game, play golf, or have a cold beer. He will be missed. Clark Taylor, UGA class of 1974
J L H
June 4, 2012
He has always been more than just another person, more of a hero. Though many things have changed and will continue to without him, one thing will stay the same, we will have to look up to see Sky.
June 3, 2012
To the family of Sky: I've known Sky for many years and always enjoyed being in his presence - whether on plane to a Bowl Game or to an away UGA football game. He had us all rolling in the aisles when we landed in Fayetteville, AK for a football game in the biggest plane to ever land at their airport The runway was very short, and Sky was yelling for all of us to push our feet hard against the floor to help the plane to stop before it hit the pine trees at the end of the runway ! He truly was a big guy with a giant heart who made you feel special.I'll miss his big warm smile and hug at UGA basketball games, also. Sky was a truly devoted Georgia Bulldawg to the end and I'm so pleased to see that he is being honored through the establishment of the Sky Spirit Award.. what a fitting tribute to a true cheerleader of our Dawgs over the years. My wish is that everyone who bleeds Red and Black will contribute to this Spirit Award. May God guide you as his family through your grief.
June 3, 2012
"For so is the will of God,that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:" Craig, your kindness to all made your character larger than your stature, and your tenderness towards other beings as great as as any Apostle . I am honored to have known you. Rest in Loving Peace
Your friend,Elaine Noble
Robert Flanders
June 2, 2012
Athens won't ever be the same without Sky. I looked forward to seeing him everytime I came in town. He was such a great guy and he will be missed. I am still in shock that I won't be able to see him again.
Eddie Lyle
June 2, 2012
God Bless You, Sky!!! You will be missed.
Marian Hall
June 2, 2012
Sky played at Georgia when I was there and then I got to know him when he ran the Fifth Quarter on Atlanta Highway. He was a Damn Good Dawg!
Tommy Mitchell
June 2, 2012
Athens won't be the same without SKY!
Rick Herring
June 2, 2012
A big man with a big heart with a lot of talent.
Karen Singleton
June 2, 2012
We're all better for knowing Sky - what a kind and great man! He will surely be missed because Athens won't be the same without him. My sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends. God bless you, Sky - may you rest in peace. I'm sure your memory will remain with us always.
June Heard
June 2, 2012
Sky was the best hugger in the world. When we went downtown I looked forward hopefully to see Sky for one of those good hugs....Ronnie and I are really gonna miss him ! !
Kendall Cathy
June 1, 2012
Sky was such a wonderful man and the best boss ever. I can still hear his voice saying "mighty suspicious." He is truly missed. I'll be praying for the Hertwig family.
Joe White
June 1, 2012
Old Fiend, played High School football with you all those years. Watched you play at UGA. I will miss you.Joe White
Becky Tapley
June 1, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the Hertwig family as well as his family at UGA. Sky you will be so deeply missed by everyone who had the honor of meeting you. You never met a stranger and heaven is sure getting a true angel. I'll never forget when we first met, the days at the Fifth Quarter, your Bulldawg Bus and all the great memories you gave me along with so many others. You always remembered the names of everyone you met and once your friend they were friends for life. I'll miss you picking me up and giving me a hug and saying,"what's up squirt and where you been" and then when I'd leave I'd get another big hug and told firmly but so gently not to stay away so long and a big laugh and promise to see you again soon. I love you my friend and I will see you again one day, so save me a seat by you at the bar and this time the first round is on me. Athens will never be the same but your name will always be known.
In God's love and deepest sympathies,
Your Squirt (Becky Eberhardt)
Danny Manus
June 1, 2012
Craig, it has been a long time since I first met you at the Fifth Quarter when you first ran it. We enjoyed the trip with you & other friends in Dec. 1983 going to see the Cotton Bowl game which we won 10-9 against Texas Jan. 1, 1984. RIP ole friend.
Rita Finger Salisbury
June 1, 2012
I MET "SKY" YEARS AGO. HE WAS SOMEONE WHOM YOU WERE DRAWN TO FROM THE BEGINNING. HE WAS ONE OF A KIND IN EVERY WAY. IF YOU KNEW "SKY" THEN U KNEW ATHENS,GA AND THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS. RIP MY DEAR FRIEND - I WILL SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE ONE DAY
Ronnie Smith
June 1, 2012
Hard to think about Sky without having some great memories of fun times at the "Quarter" and the "Boogie Bus", and George's. "A Big Man with a Big Heart".
You couldn't ask for a better friend than Sky. Gonna miss you Big Guy but sure won't forget you. R.I.P. Sky.
Greta Bettis
June 1, 2012
I never even thought about Sky leaving us. I am heartbroken and can't believe I won't ever see him again. He was one of the best men I've ever known and one of the best friends I ever had. He will be missed by so many.
Raygan Casey Moak
June 1, 2012
When I think of my youth and all the fun times I had growing up in downtown Athens, Sky is the one fixture in my memory from that period. He always greeted me by name, with a huge hug, and a dance. Sky, they're playing our song... I'll miss you big guy!
June 1, 2012
Such a gentle giant with a great smile! It is no wonder that there are so many people who think the world of him. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hertwig family.
With deepest sympathies,
Lynda Powell
MARYANN FOWLER
June 1, 2012
WOW! I AM SHOCKED TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. WE MET AT THE GREATEST WATERING HOLE EVER-THE FIFTH QUARTER. WELL LIKED BY MANY,SEE YOU IN HEAVEN LATER.
Shawna Levine
June 1, 2012
I honestly cannot believe he is gone....such a sad time for Athens. Sky was a great man!! I remember the first time I came to Athens I met Sky and have gotten to know him over the past 10 years! I will never ever forget that smile!! Athens will never be the same with him!!!
June 1, 2012
Sky was always a kind and enjoyable person to converse with, even with a relative stranger like myself. My deepest sympathy goes out to those who were close to him.
Tyler Wood
June 1, 2012
Sky, you will be missed. What a great guy!
Johnny Bryant
June 1, 2012
The Bulldog Nation lost a great ambassador. Sky was a giant of a man with a giant heart that pumped red and black. We will all miss him, especially all his friends at the Monroe Golf and Country Club. Our prayers go out to his family.
Jeff Fitzpatrick
June 1, 2012
I'll never forget all the nights at Modells, the many laughs we shared in Gems and Gem Materials class. RIP old friend. You were a good Dawg to the end.
Judy Wilson
June 1, 2012
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
john gurley
June 1, 2012
SKY was a loyal friend since i met him in 1972, we roomed together at McWhorter and that was an experience as all friends of SKY can imagine :) it was perfect..i was gone all day and SKY was gone all night :) sometimes i tagged along i must confess -- have played tons of golf thru the years.. I know i will be just one of many many people that are already missing SKY --he was the greatest, and his legend will live forever John Gurley Athens GA
Rat NIGHTRIDERS MC 1978-1988
June 1, 2012
I'll always remember him and his smile from the Fifth Quarter. Rest In Peace "Sky"
Linda and Eric Thonnesen
June 1, 2012
The world is slightly darker for the passing of this fine, gentle man. Sky was always a champion of the little guy, easy to be at his size, but never ever looked down on anyone. Our condolences to his family. I know Sky is still watching over us, but from a higher place than ever.
Kathy Shoemaker
June 1, 2012
Sky will be missed by all who knew him. He was such a great person!
Jennifer Strickland
June 1, 2012
I am going to miss my friend and I am blessed to have known and loved him.
A
June 1, 2012
What a wonderful man and mentor to so many. Truly a true spirit. Sky will be gravely missed but never forgotten.
Bobby and Louisa Ramey
June 1, 2012
Our deepest sympathy and condolences to Craig's family. We were good friends with Sky for over 40 yeras. He will be missed by many. Rest in peace big guy.
Kathryn Blake
June 1, 2012
Sky never met a stranger! He was the nicest person you will ever meet. He will be greatly missed in the Athens community. Rest in Peace Sky!
Mike Collins
June 1, 2012
I looked up to you in more ways than one. I'll miss our shots and conversation. Peace
June 1, 2012
Ed, Frances and I have you, your sisters and the rest of the family in our deepest prayers.
Frances is taken this very hard she thought of Craig as her little brother.He was a great friend to us and all other's that knew him.
Bill and Frances Riley Greenville,S.C.
Guy Goodman
June 1, 2012
We are all going to miss you very much Craig. You might well be the greatest Bulldog ever. RIP friend.
Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes West Chapel
June 1, 2012
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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