Jerome Dunson, Newnan High School Class of 69, died on July 31, 2021. We lose more of our friends each year, and we miss them—each contributed to our class and our high school experience. Nevertheless, Jerome's passing struck us especially hard. He was not only a great athlete, friend, and person; Jerome was also a pioneer, a trailblazer and a peacemaker.

Many of you remember the turbulent times of the late 60s. Integration was a new and challenging frontier. Many of us believe that Jerome was a major reason there was no violence and very little trouble at Newnan High School during this time; he became the face of integration for the Class of 69.

Jerome's skills on the field and court made him well known, and his personality, charm, and attitude made him a friend to all who knew him. Placed in the spotlight at Newnan High School, his life, attitude, and many contributions made our transition to integration seamless. Our class selected him as a Senior Superlative, and he was Most Valuable Player on the basketball team and Captain and Best Defensive Back on the football team. In fact, Jerome was honored with the national award for high schoolers from the 100% Wrong Club for his contribution to race relations. With this legacy in mind, a group of Jerome's classmates have decided to initiate a scholarship to honor him and his family (wife, Brenda; son, Jerome, Jr.; and daughter, Jahan). 

The Jerome Dunson Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually at the Newnan High School Honors Night to a graduating senior at Newnan High School who exhibits the exemplary traits demonstrated by Jerome: athletic ability, above-average grades, high regard of his peers, significant contributions to the school through extracurricular activities, class leadership, and community involvement. The Newnan High School Faculty will select the individual who, because of these traits, has made a difference in school, community, and classmates' lives. We hope the award will become a highlight of Newnan High's ceremony. The Coweta Sports Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) tax deductible organization, which recognized Jerome in 2017, will administer this annual scholarship.

We invite you to honor Jerome with a contribution to this memorial scholarship and to make it possible for other similarly worthy students attend college or vocational school. Honoring this beloved classmate will lift up his example and nurture his legacy of community. Please mail your tax-deductible check, made payable to The Coweta Sports Hall of Fame.  Please be sure to note "The Jerome Dunson Scholarship Fund" on your check.  Mail to:  The Coweta Sports Hall of Fame, P. O. Box 2627, Newnan, GA  30264

We hope to raise enough money to disburse a significant annual scholarship from earned interest and to make this one of the most anticipated, coveted scholarships at Newnan High School. When added together, our contributions can make a difference in the life of a deserving student and our community.

Thank you for considering this request. I hope that you will join us in this endeavor. Please feel free to give me a call at 770-231-9535 if you have any questions or suggestions.

Frank Barron, NHS Class of 1969 President                                             

Committee Members:

• Jack Powell, MD
• Joe Parks, MD
• Bud Freeburg
• Taylor Glover