George was born on June 1‚ 1976‚ in Mecklenburg County and raised in Johnston County. George’s interest in fire fighting began early. He served as a junior volunteer at Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department when he turned 16. His love for the fire department and community continued to grow‚ as did his knowledge of fire fighting. George served as a volunteer and paid fire fighter for Pine Level. He soon became assistant fire chief and later became fire chief in 2007. George and his family‚ Cathy and Lil G‚ spent numerous hours at the fire department preparing for fundraising events such as Fireman’s Day and the reverse raffle. George loved to take the new rookies in under his wing and teach them all that he knew.

George’s career as a fire fighter went beyond Pine Level. He graduated from the Raleigh Fire Academy in 2002. He worked at Wake-New Hope Fire Department‚ Morrisville Fire Department and Archer’s Lodge Fire Department (part-time) before getting his dream job as a fire fighter for the City of Raleigh. He served as a senior fire fighter at Station 1. George also earned several certifications and taught fire/rescue courses at Johnston Community College.

George will always be remembered for his love and dedication to his fire departments and his family. At a recent memorial held in George’s honor‚ his Raleigh fire captain told tales of George driving the fire truck‚ even out in the middle of nowhere‚ and George would wave at everyone that passed by. That’s the best way to describe a small town boy with a big town heart.

George’s son‚ Lil G‚ wanted to share the following poem with everyone:

Fallen

Rest now my fallen brother
Lay soft your suffering back
Rest well and forever
Your memory shall not lack
Rest your tired hands
Wipe clean your weary brow
Rest with St. Florian
Your spirit now endowed
Rest here your breaking heart
We know you gave your all
Rest easy‚ you’ve done your part
You’ve answered your last call
Rest knowing that in God we sought
Oh Lord‚ watch over another who just fell
Rest assured your troubled thought
As we ring the final bell.

Poem by R Hoffman‚ SSgt. USAF/MOANG‚ Firefighter We will always love and miss you!