George, Paul Eugene

Paul Eugene George, 97, of Chattanooga went home to be with the Lord on November 28, 2019. 

Paul was born at home on July 4, 1922 in Vinings, Ga. to the late, William and Florence George. Paul graduated from Marietta High, Marietta, Ga. in 1938. He completed a bachelor of mechanical engineering at The Georgia Institute of Technology 1942 (at age 19). In February of 1943 he joined the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon graduation from the Coast Guard Academy Officer Candidate School, he married the love of his life, Martha Evelyn Pardue, on June 25, 1943. He served with the Coast Guard at Camp Lejeune, NC and in the Pacific theatre, including the invasion of Iwo Jima as an officer on the Landing Ship USS LST 764. A lifelong Christian, Paul led Bible study classes on board the LST764 during the transit to the Pacific theatre.  Paul left active duty in the Coast Guard as a lieutenant in May 1946. Shortly after leaving the Coast Guard, Paul took a job as a draftsman/engineer with Combustion Engineering, where he retired after 36 years of dedicated service as a project manager. Some of Paul’s more notable accomplishments included starting a Bible study group at Combustion in 1953, receiving his Tennessee Professional Engineers License in 1955, and his lifetime membership to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1983. He served as assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troup 30 and as Explorer advisor for Post 2033.  He was president of the Chattanooga Engineer's Club in 1963. Paul was also very active in his church, he served as Sunday school teacher and deacon at Eastdale Baptist Church, and as a Sunday school teacher and deacon at Brainerd Baptist Church. Paul was a member of Brainerd Baptist Keenagers and organizer of Golden Fixers.  He put his woodworking skills to use for Habitat for Humanity in Chattanooga and for Brainerd Baptist Church by repairing furniture used in the Children’s ministry. Paul was active in church visitation, including the Walker Correctional Institute ministry.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Martha Pardue George; his aforementioned parents; a sister, Margaret George; brother, Carroll George; and a daughter-in-law, Vivian George.

Left behind to cherish Paul’s memory are his children, Paul E. George II and Marilyn G. (Larry) Smith; grandson, Eric S. George; granddaughter, Jeannette S. (Stuart) Tysinger; grandson, Michael G. (Mindy) Smith; great-grandchildren, Lucas Tysinger, Alexis Smith, Hallie Smith and Koelar Smith; and several nieces and nephews, and many close friends.

A Celebration of Paul’s life will be held in the sanctuary of Brainerd Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3 from 4-8 p.m. Following the service, Paul will be laid to rest with his wife, Martha, in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Coast Guard.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, Tn. 37412. 

Share thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.