George Shuford
George Loy Shuford III, 75, of Chattanooga, died peacefully at his home Sunday morning, August 28, 2016.
George was born on March 2, 1941, in Wadesboro, NC to the late Rosa Elizabeth and George Loy Shuford, Jr. George attended Central High School, where he excelled in both football and baseball, and was later inducted into the Central Sports Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, on a football scholarship and also played baseball for the Vols where he was captain of the team his junior and senior years. In 2011 George was named to the Vols all-century team in baseball. For years, George held the Tennessee record for longest field goal, which was kicked in 1963 against Alabama. After graduating from college, George played professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles organization, where he led his league in batting.
George returned home to begin a successful career for 35 years with DuPont and Kenco Warehouses. He was a member of Bayside Baptist Church. Because of George’s passion for sports, he stayed involved playing on many fast pitch softball teams and officiated high school football. For 22 years, he officiated football in the Southeastern Conference as well. Recently, George completed 50 years of service with the TSSAA high school official’s association while inspiring many men to follow in his footsteps, as an SEC official. George was also very active in community service. He served on the Chattanooga City School Board and also on the Hamilton County Commission. After his service on the county commission, George was appointed as a trustee of Erlanger Hospital where he served for many years.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Rosa Elizabeth Tice Shuford and George Loy Shuford Junior.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dorothy Parker Shuford; children, George Randall (Allyson) Shuford and Gary Parker (Lisa) Shuford; grandchildren, Christopher Thomas Shuford, Andrew Parker Shuford, Callie Shuford Petty (Ross),and Adam Tyler Shuford; siblings, Jerry Franklin (Janice) Shuford, David Tice (Paula) Shuford, and Gary Michael Shuford; and great-granddaughter, Sarah Beth Petty.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2-8 p.m. on Wednesday, and 1-2 p.m. on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
The Southeast Tennessee Football Association will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial donations may be made to the George Shuford Memorial Scholarship at Central High School, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.