Steve George, devoted husband, brother, friend, teacher, and mentor, peacefully passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, with family by his side.
Steve was preceded in death by Priscilla, his wife of 41 years and parents Charles and Louise George.
Those who will miss him most are Sisters Sandi Ste George (Phil Hoose), Linda (Bill) Steusloff, Brother Tag (Robin) George, Nephew Ryan Steusloff, Niece Lisl (Tommy) Krause and many cousins.
Steve was born on October 21, 1944 in Winona Lake, Indiana. His family quickly moved to Michigan, where he spent his childhood until graduating from Royal Oak Dondero High School. Here he played on the varsity tennis team all four years. As a senior, he performed the lead role of George in the play ‘Our Town’.
His love of language came early. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts in English from Greenville College in 1967 and a Master of Arts in English from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut in 1981(while working at McCallie), Steve also pursued coursework at University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Covenant College, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, cultivating his love of English. Steve was a continual learner.
He began his McCallie career in 1971 as an English teacher and soccer coach. For 36 years as educator in and out of the classroom, he was instrumental in helping young men (and women, when he coached at GPS) succeed in many facets of their lives. In 1985, he was accepted at University of Iowa, Indiana University, and University of Minnesota to pursue his PhD, but the pulls of teaching and coaching boys were too strong. He remained at his McCallie home.
A skilled teacher, Steve taught almost the entire McCallie Upper School English curriculum during his tenure and served as Chairman of the English Department from 1983 to 1986. His last eleven years at McCallie were spent as Director of College Counseling. His dedicated work shaped the lives of countless young men, guiding them through their pivotal transition to college and mentoring these students with unwavering commitment.
It was in college that Steve picked up soccer and then spent the rest of his life refining his understanding of the game. As a varsity soccer coach, he enjoyed regular success in terms of victories, though he stated many times that “a love of the spirit of the game was more important than winning.” He once told the Chattanooga Free Press he “hoped his teams have represented the city of Chattanooga well.” At McCallie, his teams notched three state titles along with numerous regional titles. He also coached GPS’ varsity soccer for 4 years and his girls’ squad reached the State semi-final.
In 1990, Steve was selected as the top high school soccer coach in the nation by the National Soccer Association of America for his outstanding ability during his career. In 1996 he was named as Tennessee’s coach in the first Georgia-Tennessee All-Star Soccer Game, the same year he retired from coaching after twenty-three seasons and over 300 wins. At the annual Chattanooga Times-Free Press Best of Preps banquet, the award for the best boys’ soccer player is named for him.
He loved working with children. Whether as a dorm advisor, as a chaperone on ski, outdoor, or concert trips with boarders, or as a participant on intramural teams and faculty/student jam sessions, he sacrificed his own desires to make sure students were involved and having fun. In his dealings with them, he displayed an exuberant enthusiasm for helping them through their challenges, though he wasn’t above prying an errant doughnut from a boy’s box or teasing a boy with no homework.
The ultimate “players’ coach,” Steve would do all physical conditioning and workouts he expected of his teams. As a Christian leader, sharing his faith was also important to him. He and his wife Priscilla worked extensively with Young Life, where he was a music leader early on Friday morning for years as well as leading Bible studies and skits.
Steve was an outdoor enthusiast and always an adventurer. He ran daily, hiked and camped whenever possible. He was an avid rock climber which culminated in his climb of Mount Hood. He loved to sail, enjoyed working on his many sailboats, and worked as a crew member to sail a yacht from New England to Antigua. He helped develop the annual sailing camp at Privateer Yacht Club and participated as an instructor. Steve did not slow down, even in retirement.
Steve’s love of music began at an early life and never faded. He was always up for a blues jam session with students, friends or anyone who wanted to play. Steve was the lead guitarist for many years in the local band, Priscilla and Little Rickie.
Steve grew in faith at Chattanooga’s First Presbyterian Church where he sang with the choir and later served as its President. This enriched his soul, and he loved it. His English background and wonderful speaking voice led him to narrate many church concerts. He volunteered on several choir mission trips to Belarus where his soccer skills and his wit attracted adults and children of all ages.
In addition to participating in the choir, Steve served as an Elder and accepted key responsibilities aimed at improving church health. He was devoted for years to small group Bible study and ministered to the homeless at the Salvation Army where he played guitar and sang every Friday morning. He was a devote and faithful servant of Christ.
It was a life well-lived, and he will be greatly missed.
The George family would like to thank special friends Ron and Janet Jobe, Alan and Marilyn Bonderud, Bob Bires and Robin Miller, Luther Killian, Maggie Armstrong, George Chamberlain, Darrin Hassevoort, and the 1st Presbyterian choir along with the dedicated staff of The Lantern At Morning Pointe, Shallowford Road whose love and ministry in the last 2 years sustained our sweet brother.
A Memorial Service in his honor will be held at First Presbyterian Church on McCallie Avenue, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 1pm. Visitation will begin at 12 noon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Steve’s honor to either McCallie School, First Presbyterian Church or The Lantern, Shallowford Road.