Family re Former Augusta Commissioner Andy Cheek

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Former Augusta Commission member Andy Cheek has died.

Cheek was a commissioner in the early 2000s. He was also into the environment, working for more than 35 years with the Savannah River National Laboratory.

Augusta Commissioner Wayne Guilfoyle said Cheek died of cancer at 3:30 a.m.

Community, family, and sports. It’s these values that Cheek held on to. His family says his legacy touches all over the CSRA.

“He was a leader,” said his brother Robert Cheek.

His son Andy Cheek Jr. said: “He really reached out to anyone to try to bring this community together.”

From commissioner to school athletics volunteer and a member of five Augusta committees, his family says he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Rober said: “We were going to south Georgia, and my momma was driving, and he said that he could walk faster than she could drive. Well she heard enough of it, and we were on Highway 121, and she stopped the car and said, ‘get out’. And when Andy got out, me and Randy followed him.”

It’s his vision that led to Diamond Lakes becoming the park it is now as well as cleaning up south Augusta when trash services weren’t as united.

Former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams said: “There’s a stigma that’s put on south Augusta as if it’s not as good as any other part of Augusta. And that’s not true. But we let stuff happen in south Augusta, we let stuff go. And Andy and I got behind there, and we made sure that everybody was held to the same standard.”

In all, the Cheek family is just thankful to have had him.

“I hope the community comes out to show its love to him,” said Robert.

The family is working with Chance and Hydrick Funeral for two ceremonies later on Thursday and Friday for anyone that wants to pay their respects.

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