Richard "Pete" Danny Waldrop

Pete was preceded in death by his parents Irene (Kent) and Clyde Waldrop. He was the youngest of eight children, all who passed before him, including brothers Emory, Hudson, Bobby, and Robert and sisters Dorothy, Betty, and Shirley. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years Betty (Hill) Waldrop and his daughter Shannon (Waldrop) Lee, son-in-law Evans Lee, and two grandsons, Ethan (20) and Gavin (17), as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He lived his whole life in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of SE Atlanta, and he attended Roosevelt High School. He was the fourth generation of his family to live in this community and was considered a Cabbagetown Original. He spent nearly 75 years in the same house at the corner of Kirkwood Ave and Tye St, where everyone in the neighborhood knew him. Officially he was Richard, but everyone called him Pete, a nickname his uncle gave him as a little boy. Many of the newer neighbors called him the “Wishing Well Man”, a reference to the Cabbagetown landmark he erected in his front yard. (And yes, people make wishes and throw money in.)

Like his brothers, uncles, and many of the men in Cabbagetown at the time, he was a hard-working roofer by trade. In his younger (wilder) days, he was also a trophy-winning pool player, playing in tournaments at every bar in town. He was once elected the ‘official-unofficial’ Mayor of Cabbagetown. Later in life, he became king of karaoke, singing at local honkytonks like the Crazy Horse, and on cruise ships, or wherever someone would give him a microphone. He was always the life of the party!

He loved traveling, especially visiting his favorite destination, Yellowstone Park. He and Betty loved it so much that they visited at least seven times. He also enjoyed camping closer to home with his family, visiting nearby lakes in his RV, and spending time with his grandsons. He was so very proud of them. And anyone who knew him well, knew he loved old westerns, watching John Wayne and Clint Eastwood movies and reruns of Bonanza and Gunsmoke over and over.

Pete never met a stranger and every conversation sounded like he was speaking to someone he had known his whole life. His friendly demeanor and natural charm helped him to create meaningful friendships everywhere he went. His passing has highlighted this as there has been an outpouring of love not only from friends and family but also from his mail-carrier, his pharmacist, his dry cleaner, even the local pizza shop. He made a positive impact on so many and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Friends of Cabbagetown Conservancy to support maintenance and other activities in the park. Pete loved sitting on his porch, overlooking the park, and talking to everyone who passed by his little corner of the neighborhood.

https://cabbagetown.com/donate-to-the-park

Visitation for Richard will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 687 Gaskill Street, Southeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30316. A Gathering of Family & Friends will occur at the church on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon with a Celebration of Life beginning at 12:00 Noon. Interment will immediate follow in Fairview Memorial Gardens, 164 Fairview Road, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.horisawardfairviewchapel.com for the Waldrop family.