Dr. James C. Fortson

James C. Fortson September 12, 1932 - January 7, 2009 ATHENS, GA — Dr. James C. Fortson, 76, of Athens , GA died on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. He was born on September 12, 1932 in Fortson, GA. He was the 2nd son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther G. Fortson. He began his life long relationship with learning in Fortson. In 1951 he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy. In 1954 he started his long career with the University of Georgia where he received a PhD in Banking and Finance. Dr. Fortson served on the faculty and staff at UGA for over 40 years. Prior to completing his doctoral work Dr. Fortson was named the 1st Director of Administrative Computing at UGA. In fact, Dr. Fortson designed and taught the first course in Computer Science at UGA in 1960. Dr. Fortson is widely described as "one of the founding Fathers of modern computing in the south". As a professor, Dr. Fortson occupied the Union Camp Professor of Forestry Chair and served as interim Dean of the Wornell School of Forest Resources. As a consultant, Dr. Fortson served as the regional economist for the Atlanta office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Dr. Fortson was a member of several Academic Honor Societies including Gama Sigma Delta, Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Beta Kappa. On a number of occasions Dr. Fortson was named professor of the year in both the Terry School of Business and the Wornell School of Forestry. Dr. Fortson is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Carolyn, and three children, Brian Fortson of Athens, Lynn Fortson Milner of Pretoria, South Africa and Phil Fortson of Charlottesville, VA. Two nephews Dr. Bill Fortson of Marietta, GA, Dr. Mark Fortson of Fortson, GA and Becky Fortson Young of Littleton, CO. Dr. Fortson was an avid fan of all UGA Athletics and a founding member of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 12th at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church. Interment will follow that afternoon at the Getzen Memorial Cemetery in Fortson, GA. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. at Lord & Stephens East on Sunday, January 11, 2009. In lieu of flowers Dr. Fortson asks that donations be sent to The Dr. James C. Fortson Scholarship Fund Reformed Theological Seminary 5422 Clinton Boulevard Jackson, MS 39209.