The city of Demorest has been working feverishly over the last eight months to renovate the old Demorest Elementary School into an inviting community gathering place. The building not only now houses city hall but also a community gym and, across the street, a new city park.
This past spring, the city began upgrading the Brent Lee Moore Memorial Field. Over the years, the field, with its basketball court and playground, fell into disrepair. Crews recently sealed the cracks in the court and added new swings. In the process, Demorest City Councilman Shawn Allen uncovered a piece of his past…and that of two Scouts who have passed.
Eagle project
To the casual observer, the small pillar in the corner of the ballfield looks like an abandoned pile of rocks. But this simple rock fountain once quenched the thirst of energetic schoolchildren who played on this field.
Upon rediscovering the abandoned and vandalized fountain, Allen recalled a bit of its history. He remembered it was an Eagle Scout project he had helped with as a young boy. Unable to recall whose project it was, this curious councilman dedicated to preserving local history embarked on some research. In the process, he learned that Steve Wheeler and Ernie Garrett helped Travis Roseman install the water fountain for Roseman’s Eagle Scout project.
Roseman was the first Boy Scout from Demorest Troop 660 to earn his Eagle Scout badge. Garrett and Wheeler followed him in that order.
According to Allen, Roseman worked many hours on the project, enlisting the help of a few adults and fellow Boy Scouts along the way.
Preserving the project that Roseman dedicated so much time to became a mission for Allen, especially when he learned that Roseman had died.
His life was full, and then…
Travis Roseman graduated from Habersham Central High School in 1985 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During his time in the service, he attended electronics school and later learned nuclear reactor maintenance. Roseman received his Eagle Scout badge right after he completed basic training.
Travis married his high school sweetheart, Amy, and the couple had two children. After completing his six-year enlistment in the Navy, Roseman began working in nuclear power plants for an electric company in New York. That landed him a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority. An active church member, he went on a number of medical mission trips to Africa, Central and South America.
Travis Roseman’s life was full.
Then tragedy struck.
On February 27, 2003, Travis and Amy were driving home from a shopping trip. After passing a transfer truck that was weaving back and forth, Travis exited the highway. The truck exited, too. As Travis’ mom, Alice, tells it, “He stopped at the red light. The transfer truck didn’t.”
The wreck killed Travis Roseman instantly and severely injured his wife.
That was twenty years ago this year – a year that also marks the thirtieth anniversary of the death of young Brent Lee Moore, for whom the Demorest ballfield was named. Moore died in a tragic boating accident in the summer of 1993. He was a Cub Scout in Demorest at the time of his death.
Both left their loved ones and community too soon.
Remembering
Alice Roseman now lives with her dog and four cats in a quaint little house off New Liberty Road. She and her husband raised three sons. Travis was the youngest. She remembers him working on the fountain but never saw it. She tells Now Habersham she didn’t even know where it was, but she always knew where her son got the knowledge to build it.
“From his dad,” she says.
When Travis was growing up, the family owned property on Yonah Mountain in White County. Whenever the lines in the community water system would break or start leaking, Travis and his dad would repair them.
Boy Scouts was just one part of her youngest son’s life. Travis Roseman was active in many other school and community activities, as well. An HCHS honor student, he received many state awards as a member of Future Farmers of America and as a member of the school’s wrestling team, Alice says.
“Travis was committed to everything he was involved in,” she says.
Church was always a part of his life, and so were friends.
Tenth District State Rep. Victor Anderson and Roseman were best friends in high school. Anderson was the best man at Roseman’s wedding.
“Tragic loss. Great friend!” Anderson says, recalling his high school buddy and his untimely death.
Demorest dedication
Now, in honor of Travis Roseman and Brent Lee Moore, Councilman Allen is planning a special dedication ceremony at the newly revived park.
Allen feels that the timing is right to rededicate the park to Moore since the city now owns it. He also wants to erect a plaque or sign beside the drinking fountain recognizing Roseman’s Eagle Scout achievement.
It’s all part of preserving their memories and the history of Demorest.
Asked about her thoughts on Demorest recognizing her son’s project, Alice Roseman proudly smiles and says, “Amazing! I’m astonished.”
A date for the dual dedication and rededication ceremony has not yet been set. However, Allen says he’d like it done this year to commemorate the anniversaries of their deaths by celebrating the impact of their lives.
