Albert Finley George "A.F.", 97, of Pikeville, Tennessee, died Sunday, January 22, 2017.
He lived through hard times like we can’t imagine today. He survived a gun shot at four years old, lost his father at age nine which left him growing up and working hard with his brothers in a group which built the Great Smokey Mountains National Park to what it is today. He married the love of his life, Agnes Bickford George 75 years ago last year. He went to war and sharpened his bayonet for General Patton, stood guard for President Roosevelt and Winston Churchhill, and shook hands with Dwight Eisenhower. He earned a purple heart for surviving a blast from a German anti-tank cannon in France. He will be buried with shrapnel from the battlefield still in his body. He will be greatly missed by all as he lived a life-long example of how a gentleman overcomes adversity. As a business man of 22 years, he and his wife owned and operated G and W furniture store. He was a member and attended Wheeler Hill Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Susie George; three brothers, Lawerence, Ed, and Burl; sister Evelyn Ferguson; and sisters-in-law, Goldeena, Darlene, Hattie and Ruth George.
He is survived by his wife, Agnes George; children, Denny (Carla) George, Dunlap, Mary (Jim) Hall and Freddy (Sharon) George, Pikeville; six grandchildren, Isreal, Greta, Sumor, Kris, Jeremy and Daniel; four great-grandchildren, Layla, Ian, Baylor and Finley; two brothers, James and Bill (Betty) George; many nieces, nephews and friends; and special friends, Brenda (Conrad) Moore.
A Celebration of A. F.’s Life will be at 12 p.m. CST Tuesday, January 24, in the funeral home chapel with Brother Bobby Collier officiating. Burial will be in Wheeler Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. CST Monday, January 23 at the funeral home and 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday, January 24.
Pikeville Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements.