Fugate’s ‘Love Life’ walk takes him through Marion County

HAMILTON — Steven Fugate was walking down U.S. Highway 43 toward Hamilton on Monday, Aug. 18, bearing a large sign that reads “LOVE LIFE.”
Fugate has walked over 51,000 miles and has trekked across the United States eight times, all to raise awareness for suicide and to encourage everyone to love life. He has also written a book, “Love Life Walk,” which is available on Amazon.
Fugate, who is originally from Vero Beach, Fla., is 79 years old, and said his mantra “is to mend the broken heart while it’s yet beating.”
Fugate lost his son to suicide and experienced the death of his daughter. According to his bio on Amazon, he said, “I would not have made it through the loss of both had I not learned to ‘Love Life.’”
“I lost my son to suicide in 1999,” Fugate said. “I was just running my business, and I was out walking the Appalachian Trail. I’d gone halfway when he took his own life.”
Fugate, who went back and finished the trail eight months later, has been walking ever since to bring awareness to veteran suicide and suicide in general.
Fugate also has a Facebook page, where he shares updates on his journeys and shares encouraging words and interactions he has along the way.
As of Monday morning, Aug. 25, Fugate posted that he was headed out of Winfield headed south on U.S. 43 toward Fayette.