Carl C. George

Carl C. George, 92, of High Springs, Florida, died peacefully at home on July 18, 2012.  He was the son of Clarence DeWitt (Dee) and Sarah Ellen Evans George.

Mr. George was born at the home of his grandmother, on October 29, 1919, in Belknap, Massac County, Ill.  He attended elementary school in Cypress, Ill. and graduated from Goreville High School, where, during his senior year, he drove the school bus and played varsity basketball.

He received his B.S. in Industrial Arts Education in 1941 from Southern Illinois Normal University, where he played varsity basketball. He served in the US Navy during WWII, primarily as an instructor teaching young sailors the skills necessary to repair the damaged aircraft that had returned to the aircraft carriers.

Mr. George worked as a contractor, school teacher, and high school Assistant Principal for Vocational Education.  Up until his later years, he was an active member of the Alachua Arabian Horse Association. He thoroughly enjoyed showing his lovely Arabian horses and won numerous awards, including the highly regarded Best in Class and Best in Show. His love of horses and the farm was shared by his many family members and those friends who had the opportunity to spend time at the family’s farm.

A member of Westside Baptist Church at his death, he was actively involved in the Lord’s work throughout his adult life.

Mr. George is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Cleona Rea George, four children; Cherry (James) Steinmeier, Derek (Donna) George, Cynthia (Dale) Young and Alicia Patterson; nine grandchildren; Christopher (Christine) George, Cherylynn Young (Randall) Owens, Andrew (Wendi) Young, Justin (Stacy) Patterson, Rebecca (Chase) Miller, Geoffrey (Stephanie) Patterson, Alethea (Ryan) Waldron, Joy Steinmeier, and Joshua Young; and 10 great-grandchildren; Alexandra George, Sara Beth Young, Shadrach George, Kayley Owens, Ryan Miller, II, Trent Patterson, Cole Owens, Sean Michael Waldron, Rusty Miller, and Kinlee Patterson.

The family wishes to especially thank the Emergency Response Teams of Newberry Fire Department and Alachua County Fire Rescue for their gentle loving care and respect during his final hours.

Graveside services were held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Benton, Ill. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012.