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In Memoriam
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Bo Dawson
1967 - 2023
Norman "Bo" Dawson, 56, of Jasper, Georgia passed away on July 17, 2023 at the Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper, Georgia. Bo was born in November 1967. He attended the University of Alabama from 2012 to 2015 and studied Business Administration, Management and Operations. He was the owner of HD Farms in Jasper, Georgia and was a retired firefighter and paramedic. He was a current member of the 5th Missouri / 7th Georgia and a former member of the 28th Georgia. He also served as Provost Officer for the Georgia Division Reenactors Association. Funeral arrangments were made with In Their Honor of Jasper Funerals and Cremations. A memorial service was held on August 7, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Elijay, Georgia.
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Bob Farrell
1934 - 2022
Honorary Member
Robert "Bob" Farrell, 88, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away on November 5, 2022. Bob was a long time friend of our company and an expert on the 123rd New York Infantry. He was by far the number one contributor of 123rd NY information and pictures to our website. He also helped us type in the original roster list from the Morhous book some 20 years ago. For all of his help, we made him an honorary member and sent him one of our 28th GA t-shirts, which he wore with great pride. He was instrumental in helping us get the 123rd New York Monument erected, where he served as our historical consultant. Pictured is Bob at the 123rd New York Monument Dedication Ceremony during the 2018 Battle of Resaca Reenactment, where we were honored to have him as one of our guest speakers. Bob was also instrumental in getting the 123rd New York Monument erected at the Bentonville Battlefield in North Carolina. Bob lived in Raleigh and served as president of the local Civil War Rountable. He was also a member of the local volunteer fire department. Bob requested to his family that his ashes be scattered at several of his most favorite places. During the 2023 Battle of Resaca Reenactment, Bob's ashes were scattered at the base of the 123rd New York Monument.
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Jason Fowler
1974 - 2020
Jason Russell Fowler, 46, of Chatsworth, Georgia passed away on July 22, 2020 at his home. He was born on March 20, 1974. He had been a member of the 28th Georgia for several years and participated in the CSS Hunley honor guard in Charleston, South Carolina in 2003. He was a member of the River Hill Baptist Church in Ellijay, Georgia. A graveside service was held on July 27, 2020 at the Murray Memorial Gardens in Chatsworth, Georgia.
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Paul LaCroix
1957 - 2019
Paul LaCroix, 62, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on September 19, 2019. Paul had been a member of Fowler's Alabama Battery for many years. Prior to joining Fowlers, he had been a member of the 28th Georgia Infantry. More information to follow as it becomes available.
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Michael Bridges
1959 - 2018
Michael H. Bridges, 59, of Conyers, Georgia, passed away on October 13, 2018 at the Piedmont Rockdale Medical Center. Michael had been a member of the 28th Georgia for two years. Michael served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Eastside Baptist Church in Conyers, Georgia. His first and last events with the 28th Georgia were at the Allatoona Pass Battlefield Living History. Michael loved the hobby and spoke about it all the time. He is survived by his wife, Janet. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
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Col. Bobby Christopher,
U.S. Army, Retired
1947 - 2018
Retired Col. Bobby Guy Christopher, 71, passed away on April 16, 2018 at the NMMC. He graduated from Saltillo High School in 1964, LA Tech in 1990, and the Army War School in PA. He was a life member of the American Legion and member of the 40/8 honor society of the American Legion. He served 38 years in the U.S. Army before retiring as Colonel. He was a life member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a life member of the Church of Christ. He was a former member of the 28th Georgia / 123rd New York and was a current member of the Blue Ridge Mess. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Peggy Wigginton Christopher of Saltillo; son, Jason Christopher (Betty) of Hernando; grandchildren, Jeremiah Christopher (Brianna) of Saltillo, Macy Christopher of Tupelo and Elliana Parker of Saltillo; brother, Pete Christopher (Lynn) of Saltillo; mother-in-law, Mary Bess Clark of Saltillo. Funeral services were held at the Waters Funeral Home on Thursday, April 19, 2018. Graveside services were held at the Mayfield Church of Christ Cemetery with full military honors. His military friends served as his pallbearers.
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Capt. Jerry Gunn
1946 - 2016
Captain Gerald "Jerry" Harding Gunn, 70, of Gainsville, Georgia, a long-time member of the 28th Georgia, passed away on February 19, 2016. Born on October 13, 1946, he was a career newsman, working in radio and television. He retired while a radio news reporter at WDUN in Gainesville, Georgia. He wrote two books, "A Rose for William Carter" and "The Ghosts of Kennesaw Mountain," and was featured on the Conan O'Brien show in 2013 along with the rest of the 28th Georgia. In 2016, he was bestowed the rank of Captain by the 28th Georgia for his service to the unit. He is survived by his long-time partner, Lois Helmers, his two daughters, and a grandson. His funeral was held on Sunday, February 21, 2016, at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Bethlehem, Georgia. A separate service was held later at the Resaca Battlefield where his ashes were scattered.
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Tommy Varner
1954 - 2009
Frank Thomas "Tommy" Varner, 54, of Mableton, Georgia, died on February 12, 2009. He was a member of the Pebblebrook Baptist Church and a 1972 graduate of Pebblebrook High School. Tommy was retired from the U.S. Navy. He was a Vietnam veteran and was a member of the VFW of Calhoun, Georgia. Tommy reenacted with the 28th Georgia from 2000-2006. He was later very involved with the Armory Mess of the 11th Virginia, Long Street's Corps. His funeral services were officiated by Terry Chadwick. Tommy was buried on February 17, 2009 in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.
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LCPL Cody Warren
1987 - 2006
Battery M
3rd Battalion
14th Marine Regiment
U.S. Marines
Killed in Action
Lance Corporal Kristopher Cody Warren, 19, of Resaca, Georgia, died on November 10, 2006 from injuries received in Iraq while serving with the U.S. Marines. Cody was a 2005 graduate of Gordon County High School, where he was the drum major in the marching band his junior and senior year. Cody reenacted with the 28th Georgia from 2002-2005, reenacting first as a fifer with our field music and then later as a rifleman when he was old enough to carry a musket. Cody joined the Marines in 2005 and was a member of Battery M, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment. His unit departed for Iraq in September of 2006. He was killed by the negligent discharge of a rifle by another Marine. Cody was buried on November 19, 2006 in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, with full military honors conducted by the United States Marine Corps.
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Wink Bennet
1962 - 2002
Johnny Lamar "Wink" Bennett, 39, of Rocky Face, Georgia, passed away on September 25, 2002, just three days short of his 40th birthday. Wink was a member of the 28th Georgia for many years and served in the ranks from Private to Sergeant. He was also the company's newsletter editor. He is pictured in the photo of the 28th Georgia hanging in the main lobby of the Visitors Center at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. He and his wife Yodie were a common fixture around the campfires at reenactments and living histories. Wink was very involved in research of his relatives, the Civil War, and the history of the 28th Georgia (in which unit he had ancestors who fought), and inspired in many a deep interest in the 28th Georgia and the Civil War. Wink left the 28th Georgia in good standing in 2000 to "retire" from reenacting. He later returned to the hobby and became an active member of the 39th Georgia. Wink was buried in uniform with full Confederate military honors at the Hardshell Cemetery in Gordon County, Georgia. The 39th Georgia served as the honor guard. He was survived by his wife, daughter and grandbaby.
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Capt. Billy Carter
1948 - 1999
Captain William Paul "Billy" Carter, 51, of Calhoun, Georgia, passed away on March 16, 1999. Capt. Carter was an active member of the 28th Georgia/123rd New York Volunteer Infantry, rising from the rank of 1st Sergeant to Lieutenant to eventually Captain in 1990, of which he remained until the time of his death. Through his guidance and leadership the company grew to what it is today and became affectionately known throughout the organization as "Billy's Raiders." Capt. Carter's love of Civil War reenacting was only surpassed by his love for his family. He was a true historian who took great efforts to further the level of authenticity of the hobby and present a more accurate picture of the War Between the States - even to the point of wearing blue and representing the "enemy" in order to more accurately show the correct troop ratios at battle reenactments. Captain Billy Carter was buried in uniform with full Confederate military honors at the Gordon Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Calhoun, Georgia. The 28th Georgia served as the honor guard.
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