Ed DeFore, fixture in Macon politics for decades, dies

DeFore served nearly 45 years in public office and was the only official in city history to serve simultaneously on the Macon City Council and Bibb County School Board.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Former longtime Macon commissioner Ed DeFore has died at 94.

Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says DeFore died on Tuesday around 3:45 surrounded by his family at a personal care home. He called him one of his mentors and said he was “completely heartbroken.”

“He was a ringleader for this city,” Jones said. “It didn’t matter what ward you lived in. If you called him, he would get the problem solved. It didn’t matter what color you were. He was a great leader.”

DeFore served in Macon government for decades before retiring in 2016 after nearly 45 years in public office.

DeFore represented Ward 2, Post 3 beginning in 1971 and also served on the Bibb County School Board, making him the only official in city history to hold both positions at the same time.

During his career, DeFore also served on the Macon Water Authority commission and helped establish multiple little league sports programs across the community.

The Ed DeFore Sports Complex in Macon was named in his honor.

“My vision for the community was trying to let the people know here in Macon and Middle Georgia that we care about the lives of all the people,” he told 41NBC in 2016.

Jones says arrangements will be handled by Snow’s Macon Memorial Park.