Charles R. George

Charles Richard George, age 100, passed peacefully to be with the Lord on August 22, 2020.

Dick was born in Findlay, OH on February 4, 1920, and was the son of the late Charles L. and Emma D. George and brother of the late Robert L. George. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH with a BS in Education and later a Masters at Columbia University, and Doctorate in Administration at Ohio State University. Dick served in the Army for 3years in the South Pacific during WWII and was honorably discharged in 1945.  He then returned to pursue his lifelong passion for vocal and instrumental music performing and instruction throughout his professional and personal life.  A sampling of the joy that music brought to Dick includes playing sax, clarinet, and vocalist in The Serenader’s Dance Band; Music Director at Conrad H.S. in DE in 1946-1959; acting and singing in community theatres; and directing adult chancel choirs at several DE churches especially enjoying his time at Richardson Park UMC (24 yrs.) and Mariner’s Bethel UMC in Ocean View. There are some who still recall the halftime shows performed by the award-winning Conrad Marching Band in the 1950s and the spiritually uplifting Easter and Christmas church choral pageants and cantatas under his direction.  Dick also directed the Worcester County Chorale and was an assistant-director and performer with the Ocean Pines Players’ musicals in Berlin, MD.

There was so much more to Dick than just music!  In his spare time, he loved boating, fishing, barbequing, flying, gardening, cars and motorcycles, reading, playing bridge, pinnacle, chess, golf, tennis, and bowling, dogs, horses, tropical fish, woodworking, DIY projects, and smart, pretty girls.  In fact, he married one in 1952, Loretta J. Draper from Wilmington at Richardson Park UMC.  He shared his interests and talents with family and friends who appreciate all that we learned and the fun times spent with him.

Before Dick and Loretta moved to Florida in 2001, Dick held leadership roles professionally and in civic organizations in Delaware:  Asst. Superintendent of Dickinson School District, Member of NCC Vocational School Board, Principal at Delcastle Vocational H.S., Charter President of Kirkwood Rotary, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Mason, and Administrative Management of the Golden Sands Condominium and influential in creating rules and regulations for a condo association while in O.C., MD.

He is survived by Loretta, his wife for nearly 68 years, of Port Charlotte, FL, and their 4 children: Sherlynn Aurelio and husband William, Jr. of Wilmington, DE; Barbara L. Farrell and husband David of Salisbury, MD; C. Michael George and wife Linda of Wilmington, DE; and Stephen R. George of Bishopville, MD.   His family is blessed with 7 grandchildren: Elaine Nelson (John), Mark Jackson (Stephanie), Kim Finch (Adam), Danielle Silliman (Jesse), Kristy Diaz (Giovanni), Chelsea George (Cory), and Matt George, USMC.  And further blessed with 12 great-grandchildren: Carly, Carter, Owen, and Avery Nelson; Luke and Kyle Jackson; Eli and Tyler Finch; Charlotte and Morgan Diaz; and Otto and Charlie George.  

Dick is also survived by his much-loved nieces and their families: Sharon Barry (Jack) of New Hampshire and Marsha Whitfill (Cypert) of Pennsylvania.

A Chesapeake Bay maritime funeral will be held at a later time.  The bay and all that it is has to offer was his “playground” for the majority of his life. Many share such fond memories of band camp, lazy summer weekends, water skiing, and vacations discovering many secluded coves and small towns on the bay.  He is loved and missed by many.