Fred T. Hyder

Fred Hyder, 90, of Columbus, GA passed away Monday, September 5, 2011 at Columbus Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. Graveside services will be held in Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 1:00 PM, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, GA. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 4:00-6:00 PM. Fred is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Myrtle E. Hyder; a daughter Susan H. Kent (Gerald) of Columbus, GA; two granddaughters, Tiffany Kent Bonaker (David) of Hamilton, GA, and Allison Paige Kent (Billy Enloe) of Columbus, GA; two great-grandchildren: Lauren Elizabeth Bonaker and William Kent Bonaker of Hamilton, GA; one sister-in-law, Linda Hyder (Jesse) of Atlanta, GA; and three nephews: James Hyder (Myrna) of Exton, PA; Thomas Hyder of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and John Hyder of Atlanta, GA; a niece, Julia Killimett (Pat) of Acworth, GA; and several great-nephews and great-nieces. Fred Hyder was born in Hall County, Georgia, the youngest of nine children of Estella (Hulsey) and John T. Hyder. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and their respective spouses as follows: William Dennis Hyder (Evelyn), James Taylor Hyder (Florence), Ralph Edd Hyder (Hilda), Bernice Hyder Davis (J.D.), John "Whack" Hyder (Vera), Jesse Hyder, Mary Hyder and Ernest Hyder. Mr. Hyder attended schools in Clermont, GA and Monroe A&M in Monroe, GA, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He also attended Columbus College beginning the first year it was established with classes held at the Shannon Hosiery Mill. Fred was a life-long sports enthusiast, a contributor to Columbus State University and a loyal supporter of CSU and Georgia Tech University basketball and baseball teams. At the onset of World War II, Mr. Hyder made several attempts to enlist; however, he was medically disqualified. While four of his brothers served in the military, he remained at home to care for his widowed mother and aunts. Fred moved from Clermont to Columbus, GA in 1944. He was employed by the Bibb Manufacturing Company initially as the Recreation Director for nineteen years and for seven years as the Assistant Personnel Manager. As the Recreation Director, Fred managed all recreation activities for Bibb employees and their families who lived in the community. He also served as the Athletic Director for Bibb City Elementary School and coached many adult and youth intramural sports. He felt privileged to follow the careers of many of his students who became outstanding leaders in the community. Fred served as the manager for Comer Auditorium and organized the Bibb City Invitational Basketball tournaments for many years. Teams were sponsored by area business and many excellent players were recruited to play to include employees from the Bibb Company, high school and college athletes as well as players from the tri-city area. In his youth he was a member of Trinity Methodist Church, Clermont, GA; and in later years he joined Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Bibb City, GA where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher.

He worked for the Georgia Department of Labor for 21 years in the Columbus Field Office and retired in 1992. During his tenure he served in various positions as an employment counselor; job corps recruiter and parolee placement advisor. Fred was a basketball and softball umpire in Columbus, Fort Benning and the surrounding area for 25 years. He was the past president of the Columbus Umpire Association and was awarded an honorary life membership in 1988. He was inducted into the Georgia Softball Hall of Fame in 1989 and was officially recognized by the Georgia High School Association for over 25 years of service to high school athletics. Due to his many years of service to the adult and youth athletic programs, he was honored at the inaugural opening of the South Commons softball complex prior to the 1996 Olympic Softball games venue in Columbus, GA.

Fred was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He mentored young people throughout his life; whether it be coaching sports, assisting people in advancing their education or in a job placement. He was a man of extreme humility, integrity, honesty and generosity. His legacy was his willingness to serve others and he will be dearly missed by his family, friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springer Opera House Children's Theatre Building Fund, 103 Tenth St., Columbus, GA 31901; the Columbus State University Athletic Fund, 4225 University Ave., Columbus, GA 31907 or to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to express condolences.