Harry Earl Raulerson

Nahunta – Mr. Harry Earl Raulerson, 93, of Nahunta passed away late Saturday night (February 16, 2019) at Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick after an extended illness.

Born in Hortense, GA his parents were Thomas Earl Raulerson and Florrie Bennett Raulerson. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Nichols Raulerson; a son, Dennis Raulerson ; a brother, Hubert Raulerson; and a sister, Freida Fox.

Mr. Harry was the owner of the Famous Red Pig BBQ Restaurant and served in the United States Navy. He was also considered one to the best baseball players in the history of Waycross Bears where a writer once said if anybody thinks a curve is an optical illusion, they’ve never seen Harry Raulerson pitch. A fastball and changeup to go with the splendid curveball made Raulerson one of the best pitchers in Waycross Bears’ history. Raulerson pitched a record 31 complete games in a single season and won almost 66 percent of his games in the Class D Georgia-Florida league, compiling a 58-30 mark from 1948-1951. Raulerson pitched the opening game of the 1951 season against Brunswick in Memorial Stadium. He went 22-10 in the record-breaking season. At the plate, he hit .329. He finished the season, pitching 290 innings, 11 shutouts and a 1.99 earned run average. He won all seven of his starts against Albany, Waycross' arch rival that year. As a player, he did it all, pitch, hit and also drove the team bus. In truth, this quiet man, born and bred in Brantley County, was one of the greatest athletes ever to grace Memorial Stadium. In 1952, Raulerson retired to come back to Nahunta to raise his family and run his restaurant, the famous Red Pig BBQ. Mr. Harry was inducted into the Georgia-Florida League Hall of Fame in Moultrie and the Waycross Hall of Fame. He also loved watching baseball, especially the Braves, singing in the choir, and fox hunting.

Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia “Cindy” Ham (Tony) of Nahunta; 5 grandchildren and their spouses, Teri Hendrix (Stevie) of Nahunta, Browning Raulerson (Jonie) of Nahunta, Caleb Raulerson of Nahunta, Victor Ham of Atlanta, and Nicholas Ham (Deana) of Marietta; 10 great grandchildren, Emma Raulerson, Ella Raulerson, Dennis Raulerson, Tripp Hendrix, Colton Raulerson, Calen Raulerson, Merrick Ham, Julia Ham, Duncan Ham, and Bennett Ham; brother and sister-in-law, Ty Raulerson (Ann) of Nahunta; 2 sisters and a brother-in-law, Reba & Gerhard of Nahunta and Dolores Jourell Barry of Fl; and also several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening (February 19, 2019) starting at 6PM at Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday afternoon (February 20, 2019) at 2PM at Southside Baptist Church in Nahunta with Rev. Ryan Albright, Rev. Jake Baum, and Bro. Bill Steed officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Waycross with Military Honors.

Pallbearers will be Victor Ham, Nicholas Ham, Caleb Raulerson, Browning Raulerson, Tim Raulerson, Blake Raulerson, Stevie Hendrix, Tripp Hendrix and Dennis Raulerson.

Pallbearers are asked to be at the church Wednesday by 1:30pm.

Arrangements are with Frye Funeral Home, Nahunta.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.fryefh.com.