Ellis Eugene "Gene" George, 88, a lifelong resident of the Springdale area, died Dec. 1, 2010, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville surrounded by his family.
He was born July 15, 1922, at home in the Brush Creek community of Elm Springs to Charles Lee and Willie Jeanette Lowe George.
His family moved to Springdale in 1934. As a Christian, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, and worshipped at Cross Church in Springdale and Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas with his family.
He graduated from Springdale schools as President of his senior class. He attended the University of Arkansas majoring in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy from May 12, 1944 to May 16, 1946. During his childhood years, Gene performed various duties at the Farmers Produce Company, a business started by his father. Returning from the Navy he joined his father, C. L. and his brother, Luther, in the company which later became known as George's Feed and Supply Company and presently George's, Inc.
After the untimely death of his brother in 1969, followed shortly thereafter by the death of his father, Gene took over full responsibility for the George's company, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1969 to 1980 and Chairman of the Board from 1980 until his death. Gene George, along with his brother and father transformed this small produce business that began in the1920's with a handful of people serving local and regional markets, into a multi-division poultry corporation serving both national and international markets. George's, Inc. is a 4th generation family owned company with operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia, which employs more than 4000 people and produces approximately 5 million broilers per week.
Gene served on the First National Bank of Springdale Board of Directors from 1969 to 2004 and the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (currently Northwest Medical Center) from 1970 to 1998. He also served on the J. B. Hunt Transport Incorporated Board of Directors from its inception in 1961 to 2004, the Hudson Foods Board of Directors and the Arkansas Poultry Federation Board of Directors. He was President of the Arkansas Turkey Federation in 1963 and Chairman of the Arkansas Poultry Festival in 1982. Gene was named "Man of the Year" in 1982 by the Arkansas Poultry Federation. He was given the "Outstanding Civic Service Award" by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in 1994. Gene was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2002. The news magazine Arkansas Business named him one of the "Top 25 Living Legends in Arkansas" in 2009. Most recently Gene served on the Community Care Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2003 and on the Legacy National Bank Board of Directors as an original member since 2004.
Although Gene has been recognized and honored by many organizations through the years, he was always quick to give the credit to those around him. He attributed much of his success to the many employees at George's who call him "Mr. Gene." Perhaps the greatest title Gene had was, "La-La," a name given to him by his grandchildren. If asked, Gene would be most proud of the success of his family. They have always been his top priority and the greatest pleasures in his life.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years to whom he was married April 13, 1947, Mary Frances Rice George; one grandson, David Ray Evans Jr.; one brother, Luther Lee George and his wife Cathryn Collier George; and one sister, Lillian Jeanette George Redwine and her husband Joe.
He is survived and loved by his family, Virginia Clark Rogers George of Springdale, to whom he was married Nov. 20, 2005; one daughter, Cathy Lu George Evans and husband David of Fayetteville; one son, Gary Charles George and wife Robin of Springdale; four granddaughters, Erin Angela Evans Bridges, Mary Kathryn George Brown and husband Matthew, Julie Ann George Swope and husband Patrick, and Linden Michelle Evans Siems and husband Brandon; two grandsons, Charles Ellis George and wife Samantha, and Carl Eugene George and wife Anna; four great-granddaughters, Elissa Lauren Bridges, Bailey Ann Brown, Bryn Michelle Siems and Campbell Elizabeth Brown; six great-grandsons, Evan Matthew Bridges, Hayden Walker Swope, Carter Holt Swope, Benton David Siems, Asher Charles George and Garrick Elisha George.
Funeral service was 10 a.m. Monday at Cross Church in Springdale with the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, C.L. "Red" Dixon and the Rev. Mickey Rapier officiating. Entombment was at Bluff Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Ellis George, Carl Eugene George, Matthew John Brown, Patrick Holt Swope, Barry Anthony Bridges, Brandon Givens Siems, John Lee George and Richard Eugene George.
Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Sanford Boone, Marion Edison Brown, Haroldean Hewitt, Billy Reid Holiman, Otto Oliver Jech, Walter Lee Turnbow, Johnelle DeBusk Hunt and The Lunch Bunch.
Loving assistants are Nora Dodson Hall, Debbie Loraine Young, Linda Dianne Knox, Sharon Kaye McCutcheon, Jackie Lou Holiman and Elsie Marie McKnight.
Times Record, Fort Smith, Arkansas December 3, 2010
He was born July 15, 1922, at home in the Brush Creek community of Elm Springs to Charles Lee and Willie Jeanette Lowe George.
His family moved to Springdale in 1934. As a Christian, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, and worshipped at Cross Church in Springdale and Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas with his family.
He graduated from Springdale schools as President of his senior class. He attended the University of Arkansas majoring in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy from May 12, 1944 to May 16, 1946. During his childhood years, Gene performed various duties at the Farmers Produce Company, a business started by his father. Returning from the Navy he joined his father, C. L. and his brother, Luther, in the company which later became known as George's Feed and Supply Company and presently George's, Inc.
After the untimely death of his brother in 1969, followed shortly thereafter by the death of his father, Gene took over full responsibility for the George's company, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1969 to 1980 and Chairman of the Board from 1980 until his death. Gene George, along with his brother and father transformed this small produce business that began in the1920's with a handful of people serving local and regional markets, into a multi-division poultry corporation serving both national and international markets. George's, Inc. is a 4th generation family owned company with operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia, which employs more than 4000 people and produces approximately 5 million broilers per week.
Gene served on the First National Bank of Springdale Board of Directors from 1969 to 2004 and the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (currently Northwest Medical Center) from 1970 to 1998. He also served on the J. B. Hunt Transport Incorporated Board of Directors from its inception in 1961 to 2004, the Hudson Foods Board of Directors and the Arkansas Poultry Federation Board of Directors. He was President of the Arkansas Turkey Federation in 1963 and Chairman of the Arkansas Poultry Festival in 1982. Gene was named "Man of the Year" in 1982 by the Arkansas Poultry Federation. He was given the "Outstanding Civic Service Award" by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in 1994. Gene was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2002. The news magazine Arkansas Business named him one of the "Top 25 Living Legends in Arkansas" in 2009. Most recently Gene served on the Community Care Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2003 and on the Legacy National Bank Board of Directors as an original member since 2004.
Although Gene has been recognized and honored by many organizations through the years, he was always quick to give the credit to those around him. He attributed much of his success to the many employees at George's who call him "Mr. Gene." Perhaps the greatest title Gene had was, "La-La," a name given to him by his grandchildren. If asked, Gene would be most proud of the success of his family. They have always been his top priority and the greatest pleasures in his life.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years to whom he was married April 13, 1947, Mary Frances Rice George; one grandson, David Ray Evans Jr.; one brother, Luther Lee George and his wife Cathryn Collier George; and one sister, Lillian Jeanette George Redwine and her husband Joe.
He is survived and loved by his family, Virginia Clark Rogers George of Springdale, to whom he was married Nov. 20, 2005; one daughter, Cathy Lu George Evans and husband David of Fayetteville; one son, Gary Charles George and wife Robin of Springdale; four granddaughters, Erin Angela Evans Bridges, Mary Kathryn George Brown and husband Matthew, Julie Ann George Swope and husband Patrick, and Linden Michelle Evans Siems and husband Brandon; two grandsons, Charles Ellis George and wife Samantha, and Carl Eugene George and wife Anna; four great-granddaughters, Elissa Lauren Bridges, Bailey Ann Brown, Bryn Michelle Siems and Campbell Elizabeth Brown; six great-grandsons, Evan Matthew Bridges, Hayden Walker Swope, Carter Holt Swope, Benton David Siems, Asher Charles George and Garrick Elisha George.
Funeral service was 10 a.m. Monday at Cross Church in Springdale with the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, C.L. "Red" Dixon and the Rev. Mickey Rapier officiating. Entombment was at Bluff Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Ellis George, Carl Eugene George, Matthew John Brown, Patrick Holt Swope, Barry Anthony Bridges, Brandon Givens Siems, John Lee George and Richard Eugene George.
Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Sanford Boone, Marion Edison Brown, Haroldean Hewitt, Billy Reid Holiman, Otto Oliver Jech, Walter Lee Turnbow, Johnelle DeBusk Hunt and The Lunch Bunch.
Loving assistants are Nora Dodson Hall, Debbie Loraine Young, Linda Dianne Knox, Sharon Kaye McCutcheon, Jackie Lou Holiman and Elsie Marie McKnight.
Times Record, Fort Smith, Arkansas December 3, 2010
Ellis Eugene "Gene" George, 88, a lifelong resident of the Springdale area, died Dec. 1, 2010, at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville surrounded by his family.
He was born July 15, 1922, at home in the Brush Creek community of Elm Springs to Charles Lee and Willie Jeanette Lowe George.
His family moved to Springdale in 1934. As a Christian, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, and worshipped at Cross Church in Springdale and Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas with his family.
He graduated from Springdale schools as President of his senior class. He attended the University of Arkansas majoring in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy from May 12, 1944 to May 16, 1946. During his childhood years, Gene performed various duties at the Farmers Produce Company, a business started by his father. Returning from the Navy he joined his father, C. L. and his brother, Luther, in the company which later became known as George's Feed and Supply Company and presently George's, Inc.
After the untimely death of his brother in 1969, followed shortly thereafter by the death of his father, Gene took over full responsibility for the George's company, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1969 to 1980 and Chairman of the Board from 1980 until his death. Gene George, along with his brother and father transformed this small produce business that began in the1920's with a handful of people serving local and regional markets, into a multi-division poultry corporation serving both national and international markets. George's, Inc. is a 4th generation family owned company with operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia, which employs more than 4000 people and produces approximately 5 million broilers per week.
Gene served on the First National Bank of Springdale Board of Directors from 1969 to 2004 and the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (currently Northwest Medical Center) from 1970 to 1998. He also served on the J. B. Hunt Transport Incorporated Board of Directors from its inception in 1961 to 2004, the Hudson Foods Board of Directors and the Arkansas Poultry Federation Board of Directors. He was President of the Arkansas Turkey Federation in 1963 and Chairman of the Arkansas Poultry Festival in 1982. Gene was named "Man of the Year" in 1982 by the Arkansas Poultry Federation. He was given the "Outstanding Civic Service Award" by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in 1994. Gene was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2002. The news magazine Arkansas Business named him one of the "Top 25 Living Legends in Arkansas" in 2009. Most recently Gene served on the Community Care Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2003 and on the Legacy National Bank Board of Directors as an original member since 2004.
Although Gene has been recognized and honored by many organizations through the years, he was always quick to give the credit to those around him. He attributed much of his success to the many employees at George's who call him "Mr. Gene." Perhaps the greatest title Gene had was, "La-La," a name given to him by his grandchildren. If asked, Gene would be most proud of the success of his family. They have always been his top priority and the greatest pleasures in his life.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years to whom he was married April 13, 1947, Mary Frances Rice George; one grandson, David Ray Evans Jr.; one brother, Luther Lee George and his wife Cathryn Collier George; and one sister, Lillian Jeanette George Redwine and her husband Joe.
He is survived and loved by his family, Virginia Clark Rogers George of Springdale, to whom he was married Nov. 20, 2005; one daughter, Cathy Lu George Evans and husband David of Fayetteville; one son, Gary Charles George and wife Robin of Springdale; four granddaughters, Erin Angela Evans Bridges, Mary Kathryn George Brown and husband Matthew, Julie Ann George Swope and husband Patrick, and Linden Michelle Evans Siems and husband Brandon; two grandsons, Charles Ellis George and wife Samantha, and Carl Eugene George and wife Anna; four great-granddaughters, Elissa Lauren Bridges, Bailey Ann Brown, Bryn Michelle Siems and Campbell Elizabeth Brown; six great-grandsons, Evan Matthew Bridges, Hayden Walker Swope, Carter Holt Swope, Benton David Siems, Asher Charles George and Garrick Elisha George.
Funeral service was 10 a.m. Monday at Cross Church in Springdale with the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, C.L. "Red" Dixon and the Rev. Mickey Rapier officiating. Entombment was at Bluff Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Ellis George, Carl Eugene George, Matthew John Brown, Patrick Holt Swope, Barry Anthony Bridges, Brandon Givens Siems, John Lee George and Richard Eugene George.
Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Sanford Boone, Marion Edison Brown, Haroldean Hewitt, Billy Reid Holiman, Otto Oliver Jech, Walter Lee Turnbow, Johnelle DeBusk Hunt and The Lunch Bunch.
Loving assistants are Nora Dodson Hall, Debbie Loraine Young, Linda Dianne Knox, Sharon Kaye McCutcheon, Jackie Lou Holiman and Elsie Marie McKnight.
Times Record, Fort Smith, Arkansas December 3, 2010
He was born July 15, 1922, at home in the Brush Creek community of Elm Springs to Charles Lee and Willie Jeanette Lowe George.
His family moved to Springdale in 1934. As a Christian, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, and worshipped at Cross Church in Springdale and Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas with his family.
He graduated from Springdale schools as President of his senior class. He attended the University of Arkansas majoring in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy from May 12, 1944 to May 16, 1946. During his childhood years, Gene performed various duties at the Farmers Produce Company, a business started by his father. Returning from the Navy he joined his father, C. L. and his brother, Luther, in the company which later became known as George's Feed and Supply Company and presently George's, Inc.
After the untimely death of his brother in 1969, followed shortly thereafter by the death of his father, Gene took over full responsibility for the George's company, serving as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1969 to 1980 and Chairman of the Board from 1980 until his death. Gene George, along with his brother and father transformed this small produce business that began in the1920's with a handful of people serving local and regional markets, into a multi-division poultry corporation serving both national and international markets. George's, Inc. is a 4th generation family owned company with operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia, which employs more than 4000 people and produces approximately 5 million broilers per week.
Gene served on the First National Bank of Springdale Board of Directors from 1969 to 2004 and the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (currently Northwest Medical Center) from 1970 to 1998. He also served on the J. B. Hunt Transport Incorporated Board of Directors from its inception in 1961 to 2004, the Hudson Foods Board of Directors and the Arkansas Poultry Federation Board of Directors. He was President of the Arkansas Turkey Federation in 1963 and Chairman of the Arkansas Poultry Festival in 1982. Gene was named "Man of the Year" in 1982 by the Arkansas Poultry Federation. He was given the "Outstanding Civic Service Award" by the Springdale Chamber of Commerce in 1994. Gene was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2002. The news magazine Arkansas Business named him one of the "Top 25 Living Legends in Arkansas" in 2009. Most recently Gene served on the Community Care Foundation Board of Directors from 1998 to 2003 and on the Legacy National Bank Board of Directors as an original member since 2004.
Although Gene has been recognized and honored by many organizations through the years, he was always quick to give the credit to those around him. He attributed much of his success to the many employees at George's who call him "Mr. Gene." Perhaps the greatest title Gene had was, "La-La," a name given to him by his grandchildren. If asked, Gene would be most proud of the success of his family. They have always been his top priority and the greatest pleasures in his life.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 56 years to whom he was married April 13, 1947, Mary Frances Rice George; one grandson, David Ray Evans Jr.; one brother, Luther Lee George and his wife Cathryn Collier George; and one sister, Lillian Jeanette George Redwine and her husband Joe.
He is survived and loved by his family, Virginia Clark Rogers George of Springdale, to whom he was married Nov. 20, 2005; one daughter, Cathy Lu George Evans and husband David of Fayetteville; one son, Gary Charles George and wife Robin of Springdale; four granddaughters, Erin Angela Evans Bridges, Mary Kathryn George Brown and husband Matthew, Julie Ann George Swope and husband Patrick, and Linden Michelle Evans Siems and husband Brandon; two grandsons, Charles Ellis George and wife Samantha, and Carl Eugene George and wife Anna; four great-granddaughters, Elissa Lauren Bridges, Bailey Ann Brown, Bryn Michelle Siems and Campbell Elizabeth Brown; six great-grandsons, Evan Matthew Bridges, Hayden Walker Swope, Carter Holt Swope, Benton David Siems, Asher Charles George and Garrick Elisha George.
Funeral service was 10 a.m. Monday at Cross Church in Springdale with the Rev. Ronnie Floyd, C.L. "Red" Dixon and the Rev. Mickey Rapier officiating. Entombment was at Bluff Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Charles Ellis George, Carl Eugene George, Matthew John Brown, Patrick Holt Swope, Barry Anthony Bridges, Brandon Givens Siems, John Lee George and Richard Eugene George.
Honorary pallbearers were Joseph Sanford Boone, Marion Edison Brown, Haroldean Hewitt, Billy Reid Holiman, Otto Oliver Jech, Walter Lee Turnbow, Johnelle DeBusk Hunt and The Lunch Bunch.
Loving assistants are Nora Dodson Hall, Debbie Loraine Young, Linda Dianne Knox, Sharon Kaye McCutcheon, Jackie Lou Holiman and Elsie Marie McKnight.
Times Record, Fort Smith, Arkansas December 3, 2010
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