Harry A. George

Harry George died of natural causes at his daughter's home at the age of 103.

Mr. George was born in Kent, Ohio the 30th of June 1918. He enlisted in the Marine Corp in 1942 and serviced aircraft of Marine Fighter Squadron VMF217 aboard the escort carriers USS Barnes, USS Santee, USS Nassau and HMS Rajah and on the Islands of Espiritu Santo and Guam.  In 1945 he married the girl next door, on Earl Ave, Bettye Sue Meyer, who preceded him in death in 2011.

Mr. George was referred to as simply "Harry" for most of his early life by those that knew him well or just fleetingly.  "Harry" was often the answer to the question "Where do we turn next?". 

Harry was modest, reserved and of independent mind.   Others frequently turned to him when they needed a non-judgmental, accepting ear.

Harry worked as a machinist and foreman at the Kent Machine Company in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow for more than four decades.  He was an accomplished draftsman and skilled with basic mathematics and geometry which allowed him to design exceptional custom-made machines.

He is survived by three sons: Robert (Ann C.) of Georgia, Michael (Ann K.) of California, and Stephan (Robin) of North Carolina.  His daughter Cindy and her husband Dave Hall cared for Harry at their home for the last several years.  Harry made sure that the Stars & Stripes were flying every morning from the pole David had erected for him there.  Bettye Sue's picture was always close by.  There are three grandchildren: Jennifer Case of Columbus, Jack Spelman of Kent, and Andrew George (Carmen) of Rhineland-Palatinate   Germany, and great-granddaughters: Bridgett Case, Katarina Case, and Lily Case of Columbus, and Sarah George and Amalia George of Germany.

Mr. George’s two grandfathers were neighbors in their occupations, Henry George owning a blacksmith & carriage shop on Gougler Ave. in Kent, and Frank Smith operating a quarry next-door at the site of the present Bissler building

Harry provided all of us with a positive role model of how to age gracefully and with dignity. His continued example of being active and contributing, even past one hundred, was a lifestyle inspiration to everyone he met.

In honor of his wishes, cremation will take place and, in light of the pandemic, a memorial service will be held at a later date.         

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