John George III
John “Jake” George III died Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Currituck House, Moyock, N.C., after a lengthy battle with frontotemporal dementia.
He was the husband of Dianne Sphar George for 41 wonderful years, living in Lover until 2003, when they retired to Nags Head, N.C.
Born November 4, 1947, Jake was a son of the late Jack and Mina McCrory George. He grew up in Canonsburg and Eighty Four, attended Canon-McMillan High School, and graduated from Village Academy in June 1967. Jake attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology for one year, then joined the U.S. Navy, where he served from 1968 to 1970, when he received an honorary hardship discharge to return home to help with his father’s illness.
Jake worked at Canonsburg Pottery for several years, gearing up to take over the family business. When the pottery company was sold, he worked at Franks Electronics, Coopers, the Volkswagen plant in New Stanton and Pennsylvania Transformer in Canonsburg. He graduated with honors from Washington Institute of Technology in June 1990 with an associate’s degree in electronics and computer technology.
When Jake and Dianne retired to Nags Head, Jake worked at Outer Banks Hospital in the materials management department and later the facility maintenance department until 2012.
Jake got his pilot’s license and loved to fly his Cessna 150 to visit his family and explore the coastline. He was a black belt in Kung Fu and other styles of martial arts. He was a member of Outer Banks Repeater Club and loved his county, family, friends and furry “kids.” He was also a member of Manteo Baptist Church. Jake was a person that everyone could count on, and he will be remembered for his humor, willingness to help and his beautiful smile.
In addition to his parents, Jake was preceded in death by his sisters, Ann Malthouse and Lynne Simms.
John George III is survived by his loving wife, Dianne Sphar George; sisters, Lissa (James) Paxton and Laurie George-Malka; and extended family in North Carolina, Billy and Martha Galloway and family and Chris and Myra Roehner and family. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Bronwyn (Rob) Pierson, Beth (Erik) Wood, Jim (Lonnie) Paxton, Zabrina (John) Fischer, John (Sasha) Paxton, Thayer (Ashleigh) Paxton, Aleeza, Talie and Jack Malka, Kelly (Jim) Loebig and Mac (Athena) Simms.
The staff of Currituck House and Community Home Care and Hospice provided great love, care and support to Jake and Dianne.
Memorial contributions in Jake’s name may be made to The Friends Project that provides animal rescue in the Outer Banks, 703 West Sportsman Drive, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948; or Manteo Baptist Church, P.O. Box 670, Manteo, NC 27954.
A memorial celebration will be held later this year.
Expressions of sympathy are welcome at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.