Dr. Freddie "Pete" Clinton Waltz

Dr. Freddie Clinton Waltz "Pete" age 72, of Tifton passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 28, 2021 at 2:00 P.M. at Albritton Funeral Directors with Pastor John Heiliger, Pastor Josh Kestner and James L. Cavanaugh, Th.D. officiating. Interment will follow in Eldorado Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday, June 27, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. For those who cannot attend on Sunday, there will be a short visitation held Monday from 1:00 to 1:30 P.M. before the service at the funeral home.

Billy Hughes, Tony Morgan, Daniel Beard, Marvin Kersey, Greg Burns, Stuart Exley, Brad Rahn, Carroll Zittrouer and Glenn Zittrouer will serve as pallbearers.

Dr. Waltz was born May 15, 1949 in Walterboro, South Carolina to the late Willie Clinton Waltz and Mary Elizabeth Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Ulmer.

He graduated from North Greenville Jr. College in 1969 with an Associate of Arts.  In 1971, Dr. Waltz received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and then in 1972 he received his Masters of Agriculture both from Clemson University. In 1982, he received his Ph. D. in Agricultural Education from The University of Missouri.

Dr. Freddie Waltz, or Doc, was an Agricultural Educator for forty years. During that time, he has served in many teaching capacities and leadership positions including serving as the Young Farmer Teacher at Pelion High School (1972-1980), Teaching Assistant at University of Missouri (1981-1982), Professor of Ag. Education and Research Tech in Ag. Engineering both at University of Florida (1982-1985), Assistant Professor of Ag Education and Ag Mechanics at Ft. Valley State (1986-1987), District I Vo-Ag Area Adult Agricultural Mechanics teacher (1987-1997), Young Farmer Teacher at Effingham H. S. (1997-2014) where he was awarded Young Farmer of the Year, Conservationist of the Year, NAAE Outstanding Adult Program Award in 2012, GA ACTE GVATA Division Teacher of the Year for 2010 and 2011, GVATA Ideas Unlimited Contest Winner in 2008, and GA State Young Farmer Advisor of the Year in 2007. He ended his career as a part-time faculty member at Clemson University before retiring in December, 2014   He was also awarded an Honorary State FFA Degree in GA and Honorary State Farmer in SC.  His depth and breadth of knowledge has contributed to his success and his worthiness to be inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Education Hall of Fame. As an Area Agricultural Mechanics teacher, he had a great influence on new teachers.

Dr. Waltz conducted numerous professional learning classes to increase teacher’s knowledge about Ag Mechanics. Dr. Waltz’s passion and love of teaching came alive when he became the Young Farmer Advisor in Effingham County. He became a part of the Farm Bureau and began to work on renovating a livestock show area. He got to know the farmers and agribusiness sector on a professional and personal level, and developed relationships with elected officials. In addition to his professional career, Dr. Waltz was actively involved throughout his lifetime in dozens of social, philanthropic, and community organizations.

As an Agriculture teacher and a Young Farmer advisor, Freddie worked with everyone associated with Agriculture in Effingham County. Most everyone you meet has a fond memory of Freddie. He is a common man that everyone loved. He just had an infectious personality and a contagious smile.

Dr. Waltz is survived by his wife, Karen Manley Waltz of Tifton; his two sons, Dr. Clint Waltz of Griffin, Dr. Corey Reuteman-Fowler and Joey Reuteman-Fowler of Lambertville, New Jersey; two daughters, Joy Waltz of Adairsville and Kari Fowler of Chula; his grandchildren, Mary Catherine Waltz, Will Waltz, Kayleigh Fowler and Aayden Harten; his brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Sonya Waltz of Little Swamp, South Carolina; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Frances and Robert Baggett of Walterboro, South Carolina, Margaret and Richard Harrison of Ruffin, South Carolina and his brother-in-law, Keith Ulmer of Ruffin, South Carolina.

Flowers accepted or donations to ALS Association online at https://www.als.org/donate, or mail it to ALS  1300 Wilson Blvd Suite 600, Arlington, VA. 22209 or Bethany Hospice, 2700 N. Oak Street Suite B, Valdosta, Ga. 31602.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.