Lawrence Kelly Waters, Ph.D., 68, of Savannah, GA, passed away on February 27, 2026 due to dementia.
Kelly was born on May 25, 1957 in Savannah to Eugene and LuJeanne Waters and graduated from Windsor Forest High School in 1975.
Due to a back injury after 18 years in construction, Kelly returned to school – graduating from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 1995 with undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. He then pursued his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Mathematics from Clemson University, graduating 1997 and 2003 respectfully.
Kelly then worked as a Mathematics Professor for USC Upstate University in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he shared his love and passion for the world of mathematics and programming with anyone who listened. In 2013, Kelly experienced a massive stroke; ending his career and moving him back to Savannah.
He was known for his unique, dry humor and inquisitive mindset and enjoyed creating and listening to music, riding his motorcycle, and watching sci-fi movies and TV shows with his family, reading sci-fi books and countless math and computer programming related books; and as a Jesus Christ follower, he was an avid believer in the Bible and in finding out the truth about life.
Kelly is survived by his children Misty Petak (Rod), Hope Lam (Gavin), and Brittany Heurter (Chad); grandson Liam Lam; siblings Tracy Waters, Jr. (Gianna) and Teresa Maines; nieces and nephews Justin “JD” Maines (Prina), Jesse Waters, Tiffany Lance (Greg), and Miranda Waters (Raymond); grand nieces and nephews and many beloved extended family members.
He was preceded in death by parents Tracy Eugene Waters Sr. and Bessie LuJeanne Waters and sister-in-law Shirley Waters.
Following cremation, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 3pm at First Free Will Baptist Church at 5210 Skidaway Road, Savannah, Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his beloved Habersham Branch YMCA that gave him an outlet for achieving remarkable goals during the 13 years following his stroke or Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Georgia where he started the path toward a career that brought him so much satisfaction and fulfillment.
Dad’s corny jokes may be gone from our card table, but unfortunately, we’ve all inherited them.
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Brett Barwick
I’m so sorry to hear of Kelly’s passing. I worked with him for several years in the MCS department at USC Upstate and was lucky enough to have him as a friend and golf buddy during my time there. He was a great person, and I was always impressed by how hard-working and resilient he was, even after suffering his stroke. Wishing for peace and comfort for his family at this difficult time.
Dick Scoggins
Kelly had a brilliant mind. I remember him in high school. Math was as easy as breathing for him. We had many conversations over the years about his research.
In 2005 he organized our high school class reunion. It was the best one of all the reunions I attended. He managed to bring the two races together in a cathartic ritual that chased away a lot of the lingering bad blood from our school days.
I’ll miss him.
Glenda Kasprzak
So sorry to hear of Kellies passing ! He was a wonderful man ! I met him the day he had his stroke at USC upstate health services ! He was brought to us after almost passing out in class and we immediately called 911. He came back to health services to just talk with us several times after that and was always a blessing to talk to !!
So glad he was surrounded by his children and siblings and enjoyed the rest of his life here on earth ! Now he’s walking streets of hold with His Father!
Sandy Clark Anderson
I went to school with Kelly (WFHS class of 75). I always admired his musical ability. He was part of the band that played at our Friday night games at memorial stadium. Ah the good ol’ days! I was fortunate to sit at a table with him, and others at our class reunion in ’21. He was very engaging and made me feel comfortable since it was my 1st time attending a reunion. I regret we won’t see him at any future gatherings for our class.
Godspeed Kelly. RIP
Ed Wheeler
Many years ago, Kelly Waters wandered into my office at Armstrong Atlantic State University and announced he was returning to college after many years of hanging sheet rock … and that he intended to be a mathematics major. Wanting to save him from disappointment, I tried to temper his ambition with a “well, we will give it a try” talk, and then signed him up for beginning classes. My pessimism was soon erased as he aced each mathematics and computer science course he attempted, and I soon found myself driving Kelly and 2 other students to the Southeast Regional Computer Programming competition where they won top honors in team competition. Shortly thereafter, I presented Kelly with highest honors at the Departmental Awards Banquet. I was blessed to have known and mentored Kelly Waters. Thank you to those who cared for Kelly after his stroke; blessings on those who mourn his passing.
Ed Wheeler, Department Head, Mathematics and Computer Science, many years ago
David Hurst
I first met Kelly while I was a student at Clemson. He was a good friend and someone who I truly enjoyed spending time with. Well done Kelly. You have graduated and gone to be with the Lord. I look forward to seeing you again in that place and maybe working some math problems together. My condolences to all who are missing you here in this life. Until then.
Cynthia Ferguson
I’m sorry to hear of passing of mr.Kelly I worked with him at Savannah square’s retirement home he was a sweet man you will be missed go and get your wings Dr.kelly Love Cynthia Ferguson and my condolences to the family of Dr.kelly
Chris Cox
I was very saddened to hear that Kelly passed away, though grateful that we received the note about it through Facebook. It’s serendipitous that on the day he passed away, I was talking about Kelly with some friends at UTC during lunch.
No words can fully describe Kelly, though what first comes to mind are stubborn, one-of-a-kind, very bright, and most significantly, loyal and loving. I can still see the twinkle in his eyes when he talked about Misty, Hope, and Brittany.
The first of the last two times Amy and I saw Kelly was after he moved back to Savannah. We drove down from Edisto Island to meet Kelly for lunch. That was the first time we’d seen him after the stroke. Here’s another word for Kelly: undaunted. I remember that he was working calculus problems in hopes of sharpening up enough to teach again. No self-pity, just “I’m going to beat this”.
The second and last time we saw him was when he came to our place in Central not long before we moved to Chattanooga. That meant a great deal to me.
A part of Kelly is in the basement of that house. What I’m referring to is that while he was a student at Clemson, he lent us his drywall finishing equipment when we converted the crawl space into a basement. He showed me how to prepare the mud just right before applying it. Kelly was a great teacher, in many ways – from practical to theoretical.
I know that Kelly is in a Happy Place, now, fully healed. I’m envisioning him with a calculus book in his lap, or sitting at a computer terminal, or both.
Rest in Peace, Good Friend.