Paul Pierce Gaines, 89, of Tifton died Friday, December 25, 2009, at Tift Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for funerals. The family will receive friends on Monday, December 28, 2009, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Gaines was born on April 23, 1920 in Elbert County and was the son of Peter Pierce Gaines and Lula Ward Gaines, both deceased. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Payne Gaines.
Mr. Gaines attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 1937-1939, where he served as the college pianist and accompanist for the Men’s Glee Club. He also was the pianist for the Rotary Club of Tifton.
He attended the University of Georgia and received a B.S.A. degree with a major in agricultural education in 1941. He received an M.S.A. with a major in agronomy in 1952. He was elected a member of Alpha Zeta Honor Fraternity as an undergraduate and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society as a graduate student.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, including overseas service in India, Burma and China. After World War II, he joined the fault at Abraham Baldwin as a Professor of Agronomy. He taught courses in the plant sciences for 16 years and served as the College Registrar for 20 years.
In addition to teaching duties, he served as director of student activities. In appreciation of his services, the students dedicated TABAC, the college annual to him. Later, he received the Pacesetters award from the student government association. While serving as registrar, he received the Carlton Award for excellence in administration. Upon retirement, he was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Registrar Emeritus by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.
A resident of Tifton since 1948, he was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. He served as one of the church organists for 30 years and pianist for the Loyalty Sunday School Class for over 60 years. He also served on the administrative board and numerous committees for over 50 years.
He was invited to join the Rotary Club of Tifton in February 1949 and was appointed club pianist. He also served as club secretary, on the board of directors and on numerous committees. In appreciation for his services, the Rotary Club of Tifton made a thoughtful contribution to the Rotary Foundation and, as a result of this generosity, he was designated a Paul Harris Fellow.
Mr. Gaines is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and James S. Herndon of Stone Mountain; one son and daughter-in-law, Richard P. and Kaye Evans Gaines of Tifton; one granddaughter, Megan Rileigh Gaines of Tifton; one sister and brother-in-law, Lettie and John G. Hudson, Jr. of Stone Mountain; and several nieces and nephews.