House Resolution 1477
By: Representatives Burns of the 159th, Parrish of the 158th, Greene of the 154th, Stephens of
the 164th, and Powell of the 33rd
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens
with the passing of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports on January 9, 2026; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was born on October 17, 1934, in Douglas, Georgia, a
beloved son of Mae and Elisha Sports, and while still in high school, he began his journalism
career at The Douglas Enterprise, where he eventually served as associate editor; and
WHEREAS, after being drafted in 1957, he served for 18 months as a photographer within
the United States Army, faithfully carrying out his duties while traveling across Europe; and
WHEREAS, upon his honorable discharge, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports entered public service in
Washington, D.C., as a staff member for Georgia Congresswoman Iris F. Blitch; and
WHEREAS, he later returned to Georgia to serve as news director at WALB-TV in Albany,
where his insight, professionalism, and political acumen further strengthened his reputation
as a trusted communicator; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was selected thereafter by James H. Gray to serve as
executive director of the Democratic Party of Georgia, a role he held until the election of
Jimmy Carter as governor; and
WHEREAS, following Governor Carter's appointment of David H. Gambrell to the United
States Senate, he returned to Washington to serve as administrative assistant and later worked
with United States Senator Sam Nunn and United States Congressman Dawson Mathis; and
WHEREAS, after concluding his government service, he established a respected career as
a public relations and legislative consultant, and in 2022, he returned to The Douglas
Enterprise as a writer and photographer; and
WHEREAS, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports was united in marriage to his wife, Ronda McNeil
Davis, and was blessed with a remarkable daughter, Susan, as well as two wonderful
grandsons, Ali and Amir; and
WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Joseph A. "Joe" Sports will long be
remembered for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who
had the great fortune of knowing him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Joseph A. "Joe" Sports.