James Ronnie George Obituary
James "Ronnie" George passed away on August 31, 2022 at UAB West after an honorable and brave battle with multiple illnesses. He was a trooper until the end and was surrounded by his family when he left this earth to go to the Lord.
He was preceded in death by his Father, John C. (Jack) George and his mother Evelyn George Enoch. Ronnie was born in a small doctor's office in Tuscaloosa County on December 1st, 1949. He grew up in West Blocton, Alabama where he lived in a humble home. He said that his family did not have indoor plumbing until he was in high school. Ronnie began his career as a butcher at the IGA in West Blocton. He then enlisted in the Navy in 1970 as an aircraft mechanic and was stationed in Hawaii and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. While serving our country, he received the National Defense Service Medal. In May of 1972, Ronnie returned from active duty back to West Blocton. In August of 1972, Ronnie began dating Mary Frances Geisen, who became the love of his life. Are you wondering what his pickup line might have been? "If you think that telephone pole is stuck up, look at you!". Apparently, that was all it took to kindle a relationship that lasted for over 50 years, as they were married on December 29th, 1972. Ronnie had multiple places of employment, highlighted by his stint as a crane operator at ACIPCO, followed by a Service Manager at Buddy's Marineland, and finally as a Service Manager and owner of GP&G Automotive. Ronnie was the life of the party, and never met a stranger. With the exception, of the time they shoved his mouth full of crackers and then duct taped his mustache, eyebrows and mouth, Ronnie loved his girls. He joked that after Stephanie was born in 1975, Melissa in 1985, he told Frances that he wanted another one in 1995. It is clearly safe to say, Frances did not oblige. While not quite what he planned, he received a son-in-law that very year. Ronnie became a grandfather in 2000, and finished with his fifth one born in 2015. His grandchildren were his world. Whether it be baseball, football, or soccer games, and even a dance recital or two, Ronnie was there. In 2019, after a victory over lung cancer, Ronnie met the true love of his life: A 40 foot, Tiffin Phaeton. Ronnie and Frances traveled the entire Southeast, for the next two and a half years. From Virginia to Mississippi, they were attached at the hip, traveling and camping with each other and their friends. They continued to travel until his health began to decline. Ronnie was a lifelong and avid Alabama football fan. He spent every Saturday with his family and friends yelling Roll Tide.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Ronnie is survived by his loving wife, Frances G. George, his daughters, Stephanie (George) Gerson and Melissa (Brian) Fikes and 5 grandchildren: Joseph, Emma, Jackson, Davis and Charlie. He is also survived by his brother Sammy (Sheila) George, along with a multitude of family and friends.
There will be a celebration of life on Tuesday, September 6th, from 10AM-12PM, followed by a Memorial Service at 12 PM at McCalla Memorial Funeral Home, 4780 Letson Farms Parkway, McCalla, AL 35111 and followed graveside services at the Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, AL 35115.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society and/or the American Heart Association.
