Tribute to Former Augusta Commissioner Richard Colclough

News Summary

Richard Colclough, a former commissioner of Augusta, has passed away at the age of 86. Known for his dedication to public service, Colclough served two terms representing District 4 and remained active in the community after his resignation. His efforts in implementing community safety programs left a lasting impact. His passing marks a significant loss for Augusta, following the recent death of another former commissioner.

Augusta – Richard Colclough, a former commissioner of Augusta, passed away at his home on Friday at the age of 86 due to natural causes, as confirmed by Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen. Colclough was known for his dedicated service to the Augusta community and served as a commissioner for a total of seven years. His tenure included two terms representing District 4 on the Augusta Commission.

Colclough’s resignation from his position came on April 22, 2006, during his second term. In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, describing his time as a rewarding experience. Following his resignation, he indicated plans to pursue different goals while utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from his time in office. He remained hopeful for the future success of the Augusta-Richmond County Government and its constituents.

Even after stepping down from the commission, Colclough maintained an active role within the community. Notably, in March 2024, he joined other former city leaders at a news conference alongside Mayor Garnett Johnson to advocate for a full vote on the commission, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to public service and civic engagement.

Colclough’s passing marks a significant loss for the Augusta community, as he becomes the second former commissioner to die in recent days. A prior loss was Bernard E. Harper, aged 73, who was discovered deceased in his Graniteville apartment on Tuesday. Harper was elected to complete Colclough’s term on the Augusta Commission in 2006 and had attempted to secure other local offices without success.

During his time in office, Colclough was instrumental in implementing community programs aimed at enhancing public safety, such as the anti-crime Weed & Seed program in Barton Village, which aimed to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce crime by fostering community involvement and resources.

After his resignation, Colclough made an attempt to enter state politics by running for the Georgia House of Representatives in a Democratic primary, where he was defeated by former Mayor Hardie Davis. Following this, Harper, who had served on the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority from 2000 to 2006, narrowly won the election for Colclough’s remaining term on the commission in 2006. Harper also faced challenges in subsequent elections, where he lost bids for the Richmond County Board of Education and did not secure re-election to the commission.

Colclough’s legacy in Augusta will be remembered by those who knew him and by the many constituents he worked to serve throughout his career. His dedication to the community remains an enduring aspect of his public life, reflecting the impact he made during his time as an elected official.

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Additional Resources

• WRDW: Former Augusta Commissioner Richard Colclough Dies
• Wikipedia: Augusta, Georgia
• WJBF: Former Augusta Commissioner Richard Colclough Dies
• Google Search: Richard Colclough
• The Augusta Press: Former Augusta Commissioner Colclough Dead at 86
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta-Richmond County Government
• Augusta Chronicle: Former Augusta Commissioner Bernard Harper Found Dead at 73
• Google News: Augusta Commission