George Padgett

George Padgett served as a senior officer of the Henry County Police Department from 1991, joining them from the sheriff’s office.

He served the community for 34 years before retiring in November. He will be greatly missed by many.

Early Life and Education

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is an expanding field that encompasses multiple aspects of a child’s development. This includes social, emotional and academic skills which will remain essential throughout a child’s lifetime.

ECE programs are considered social determinants of health and have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for children, families and communities. Studies have demonstrated that ECE interventions increase preschool enrollment rates, reduce crime and welfare dependency rates, as well as boost high school graduation rates.

Educators play a pivotal role in supporting and motivating children as they progress through each psychosocial stage of development. Additionally, educators help children learn how to interact with others and develop self-esteem. Parents also have an immense impact on a child’s social and emotional growth.

Professional Career

George Padgett was a longtime member of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church and an active participant in Christian Friendship Sunday School class and Masonry. Additionally, he served as Senior Officer with Henry County Police Department.

He and Stacey have been married for 30 years and reside in Riverwood Plantation. She is a certified Human Resources Professional with 25 years of experience working within the private club industry.

She has been with Champions Retreat for 11 years, providing HR support in all areas such as recruiting, onboarding, training and employee relations. Additionally she works closely with the executive staff and coaches on developing leadership skills and helping the organization meet its objectives through guidance and assistance.

Achievements and Honors

George Padgett’s accomplishments include co-founding an avant-garde literary journal with Dick Gallup and serving as workshop leader for The Poetry Project in New York City. Additionally, he taught poetry-in-school programs nationwide and edited The Teachers & Writers Collaborative Newsletter.

He was honored with a Fulbright Scholarship, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, and National Society of American Artists Award. His artwork has been featured in multiple books and journals.

He is the author of “The Good Old Life,” as well as numerous poems and plays. Additionally, he holds memberships in both The Poetry Foundation and The Poetry Project – which encourages young people to write poetry – and has served on the Board of Directors for Teachers & Writers Collaborative.

Personal Life

Padgett was a renowned poet, editor, and translator. In 2000 he received a Fulbright grant to study French poetry in Paris.

He relocated to New York City in 1960 and co-founded The White Dove Review with friends Joe Brainard and Dick Gallup, two of his fellow students from Columbia University.

This magazine featured work from writers associated with the Black Mountain movement and Beat Generation, running for five issues and serving as a major influence on the second generation of New York School Poets.

Padgett taught poetry and wrote The Straight Line: Writing on Poetry and Poets, as well as editing several anthologies and translating French poetry. Additionally, he served as teacher-director of the Poetry Project at St Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery and publications director at Teachers & Writers Collaborative for two decades.

Net Worth

George Padgett has an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million. As the former head coach at Samford University, he keeps his personal life very private.

He currently serves as chief meteorologist for CBS 11. With 22 years of experience in forecasting and broadcasting, his expertise is in high demand.

On April 19, 1976, he was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Linda and Will Padgett.

He graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology. Additionally, he earned double minors in broadcasting and math.