DR. THOMAS WALTER JOSEY
(September 28, 1881-August 31, 1956)
Dr. Josey was born in Augusta, GA on September 28, 1881 and received his primary education at Haines Institute. He matriculated to Atlanta University and later received his Medical Doctorate (MD) degree from Howard University School of Medicine in 1911.
After practicing medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for two years, Dr. Josey returned to his hometown to become one of the city's first African American physicians, where he practiced for 43 years.
Among Dr. Josey's key memorable contributions made to the Augusta, GA community include:
* Served as Grand Medical Director for what was then one of the largest Black-owned life insurance companies in the southeastern United States - Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company.
* President of the Stoney Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association 1948-1953 & 1955
*President of the Georgia State Medical Association
* Member of the Board of Directors of the Ninth Street YMCA (located what is now James Brown Blvd)
* Silver Beaver Award recipient from the Georgia-Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1948 & 1950 (whom named camp in his honor - "CAMP JOSEY" located on US Highway 1/Deans Bridge Road south of Fort Gordon).
* Successful fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, United Negro College Fund and the Lucy Laney High School Marching Band for the purchase of their very first band uniforms.
* Founder and Teacher of the CT Walker Sunday School Class at the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church.
In August 1925, Dr. Josey was one of the nine charter founders of the Psi Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, making Omega Psi Phi Fraternity became the VERY FIRST "Divine 9" Black Greek Lettered Organization to establish a local chapter in Augusta (next Black Greek lettered organization chapter chartered in Augusta 10 years later by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity). Dr. Josey served as Basileus (president) of the chapter as well.
On November 29, 1916, Dr. Josey was united in Holy Matrimony with Mrs. Effie Owens-Josey, and was the father of two daughters: Mrs. Marguerite Josey-Pettigrewe (who was a Washington DC-based actuary) and Dr. Robbiesteene Josey (one of University Hospital's first African American physicians).
In 1964, eight years after his unexpected death and during the era of integration of public schools, Dr. Thomas Walter Josey was posthumously honored and immortalized with a brand new high school erected at 1701 15th Street, Augusta GA named in his honor. The new high school adopted the colors of kelly GREEN (symbolizing POWER), WHITE (symbolizing PURITY) and GOLD (symbolizing KNOWLEDGE), thus defines the school motto POWER THROUGH KNOWLEDGE….., and the mascot of EAGLE because this is a "BIRD OF MIGHT."
The grave of DR. THOMAS WALTER JOSEY is located at the historic Cedar Grove Cemetery.