Family, Friends Fulfill Father's Dream for Sharpsburg School

SHARPSBURG, Ga. - Just two weeks ago, a Georgia family experienced an unthinkable tragedy.

A father, while trying to save his son, drowned in a Wyoming river while on vacation. He was a part time teacher and board member at his children's Sharpsburg school.

Now his friends and family at the school he served is rallying to fulfill his dream of giving all children the very best education.

Just two weeks ago, a Georgia family experienced an unthinkable tragedy.

A father, while trying to save his son, drowned in a Wyoming river while on vacation. He was a part time teacher and board member at his children's Sharpsburg school.

Now his friends and family at the school he served is rallying to fulfill his dream of giving all children the very best education.

According to his wife of 22 years, Joel Fegarido was many things - he was a diligent employee of Delta Air Lines, a loving husband and he loved not only his children but all kids.

"If you were in a big group and I lost track of him, I would look around and see where a group of kids was and there he'd be," said Eva Fegarido.

But it was his love of fly fishing that took the family out west to Wyoming two weeks ago. For a week, Joel, his wife Eva and two children Jamie and Joey indulged their father's love of nature - from hiking in Yellowstone to wading in the waters of Snake River canyon.

When 11-year old Joey ventured a little to far from shore, Joel went to grab him. The current was so strong that it carried both of them further down the river but with his last effort he pushed his son to safety. His wife expected to see her husband follow.

"He was an excellent swimmer he was on the river all the time, I was still thinking that he was just be floating around the coer at any minute," said Eva Fegarido.

He never surfaced. It wasn't until after the family retued to their Sharpsburg home that they received word that authorities recovered his body.

"I haven't decided yet on his final resting place, but at least we have him home."

Now with the death of her husband still fresh, she's tued her grief into action. Fegarido was on the board of Shoal Creek Adventist School in Sharpsburg and before his death was part of a major effort to upgrade the school's computers. In his absence and in his honor, the school has entered a contest to win 50 laptops for the students. They are now finalists thanks to an essay written by Fegarido's widow. They say they hope to win not only to improve the schools technology but they know it's the type of selfless act Joel would have done

"My dad is a hero. He would do anything to protect his family, home kids anything," said Joey Fegarido. 

To help the Sharpsburg school reach their goal of getting those computers, click here!