CFO, Taney County nonprofit create Hollister parks fund

Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Taney County Community Foundation have created a foundation to support the Hollister parks department, in honor of a former city parks director.

The Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Fund will provide grants for development and maintenance of parks in Hollister, according to a CFO news release. The fund was established for an undisclosed amount by Fuqua's mother, LaVaughn Fuqua-Mathiesen, and her husband, Bryan, along with donations from friends and family.

Fuqua served as Hollister director of parks and recreation for 10 years before he was struck and killed while riding his motorcycle in August 2008.

Mathiesen and Fuqua-Mathiesen also made a planned estate gift for an undisclosed amount to the memorial fund.

"I can't think of a major event we have had in Hollister that didn't have Chad's mark on it," Hollister Alderman and Park Board member Scott McCaulley said in the release.

The Hollister Board of Aldermen voted in September 2008 to rename the town hall park to the Chad A. Fuqua Memorial Park in recognition of his service to the city.[[In-content Ad]]