A couple of longtime Waycross men dedicated to imp roving the quality of life in the community were honored at a Celebration of Brotherhood last week.
Charles Eames was revealed as the recipient of the Morris Jacobson Brotherhood Award while the Paul Tang Good and Faithful Service Award was bestowed posthumously to honor the memory of Dave Callaway.
Hosted since 1954 by the Waycross Hebrew Congregation, the annual Brotherhood Program was held February 8 at the temple on Screven Avenue. Eames, who came to Waycross about four decades ago as the town librarian, has humbly worked behind the scenes for the most part — to help meet needs. A philanthropist who’s been generous in his benevolence, Eames is the epitome of charity.
Eames
“God blesses us with so much and He expects us to share with each other,” said Gary Griffin in introducing Eames. “You Google our honoree’s name and you’ll see he’s a philanthropist. For those who need to know, a philanthropist is someone who shares his resources with those in need.
“Our honoree shares humbly, joyfully and anonymously, just as we are instructed to do — seeking no recognition or credit.”
Griffin said Eames’ desire to remain anonymous in his giving “makes it difficult for me to talk specifically about the many causes he’s supported.”
He set up a fund for students who struggle to pay for their commute to and from Waycross College (South Georgia State) and Okefenokee Tech (Coastal Pines), Griffin pointed out. This enabled countless students to complete their education.
“His compassion has reached many homeless people, children who’ve experienced sexual abuse … and there are many others benefiting from his kindnesses,” he said.
Griffin said his earliest recollection of Eames was when he saw him reading a “children’s story hour” book on the old Waycross community TV access Channel 42 in about 1989.
“He’s the world’s expert in that field — and he still does it today!”
Upon learning he was the object of the Jacobson Brotherhood honor, Eames simply said, “I’m very humbled. There are many citizens who are more deserving.”
The Brotherhood Committee, consisting of previous recipients of the Morris Jacobson Award, elected this year to bestow the Paul Tang Award to Dave Callaway. The posthumous honor isn’t made with any set frequency and was last given about five years ago. Callaway died a year ago.
Well-known and popular, he spent his adulthood here as a public service volunteer. Upon his arrival in Waycross in 1975, he embarked on his mission of “giving, leading and inspiring,” in the words of Clay Thomas, who presented the award to Dave’s widow, Sharon, and two of their children, David Jr. and Allison.
Dave Callaway quickly became popular in Waycross as a disc jockey on the Lou and Dave morning drive-time radio show with Lou Essick. Listeners found his Southern wit endearing.
What they were not so readily aware of as the years rolled was his volunteerism behind the scenes. He worked in support of the Boy Scouts, chamber of commerce, Jaycees and other civic organizations, recreaction league sports, middle school and high school athletics. He was a radio/TV sports broadcaster, a writer and publisher, a videographer and more.
And he was a family man.
“Dave was coach and cheerleader for his children and grandchildren,” Thomas said. “And he tried to never miss any of their games or practices. Many times he was the head coach of whatever rec league or YMCA team they were on.
“He was my first T-ball coach, and if he was here today, he’d tell you coaching me was the pinnacle of his athletics career.”
Heidi Tang, the widow of the award’s namesake, Paul, the popular proprietor of Wong’s Palace restaurant, presented the Good and Faithful Servant plaque to Sharon Callaway.
Vic Drawdy, president of the Waycross Hebrew Congregation, emceed the program and delivered a history of the Brotherhood Award and of Morris Jacobson. He related the life, struggles and generosity of the World War I veteran who emigrated from Lithuania to America, Southwest Georgia and eventually to Waycross, telling of the lives his benevolence touched.
The Ware County High School Chorus, directed by Christy Marquette and accompanied by Carol Parker, inspired the audience of about 70 with two beautiful selections.
Rabbi Moshe Elbaz delivered the annual Brotherhood address and Dan Bennett gave the Brotherhood message. Rabbi Rich Luskin welcomed the audience.
Rosie Williams, the 1999 Jacobson honoree, died last August, and Griffin proposed that the program be dedicated to her memory.
Standing to applause, the living Jacobson recipients attending included Linda Booker (1990), Ron Jacobson (1991), Curtis Brantley (1997), Nickie Carter (2004), Griffin (2012), Tony Tanner (2017) and Thomas (2025).
