A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Cypert Church of Christ in Marvell, Ark., for John Patton “Pat” George, 78, who went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 31, at his residence. A private family burial will follow in Cypert Cemetery in Marvell, Ark.
A visitation honoring Pat will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland. A second visitation honoring Pat will be held from 10:30 a.m. until service time on Saturday, June 7, at Cypert Church of Christ in Marvell, Ark.
Pat was born on March 14, 1947, in Holly Grove, Ark., the son of the late Jack Pink and the late Zulieme Poole George. He graduated from Marvell High School in May 1965. He was in the 11th grade when he met Rosa Lee. He loved her since their first date at the church Valentine’s party. They married on June 17, 1966, in Marvell, Ark., when he was 19 and she was 17. They were married nearly 59 years.
Less than one month after being married, Pat joined the United States Army and served the Artillery Division in Vietnam from July 12, 1966, until May 14, 1968, being honorably discharged as a sergeant. Shortly after his return home to Rosa Lee, he was baptized at the age of 21, and joined First Baptist Church of Marvell with Rosa Lee at his side. Over the course of his life, he also attended Boyle Baptist Church, Gore Springs Baptist and Immanuel Baptist in Cleveland.
Coming from a large, farming family, Pat learned the value of hard work and the importance of family at an early age. He started working at Federal Compress in Marvell, Ark., in 1968. He provided well for his family by working in the cotton industry for Federal Compress for 42 years. His cotton career took his family from Marvell, Ark., to Pine Bluff, Ark., to McGehee, Ark., back to Pine Bluff, Ark., to Cleveland, for 15 years, then to Grenada for 17 years until retirement.
In 2010, after retirement from Federal Compress, he and Rosa Lee returned to Cleveland to be near their children, Karen and Justin. His expertise, love of cotton and the people he encountered through cotton led him to consult with T.J. Beall Company for six years after retirement. He enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life on the same family-owned land near the White River Refuge and Indian Bay, Ark. He was a founding member of Indian Bay Hunting Club. Pat received great pleasure in sharing that love of nature and family hunting experiences with his siblings, nieces and nephews, his children, and grandchildren.
Pat spent many hours working on deer stands, duck blinds and improving hunting land for his family. The excitement of deer, duck or turkey season ran through him with great energy. He especially loved bream fishing with a “rusty No. 8” .... “they catch the most fish,” he would say. “It’s not about catching fish; but going fishing.” Pat was instrumental in keeping the Fourth of July fish fry tradition at Indian Bay since the age of 5 when it was started by his own father. Pat was known for his passion of collecting “rusty gold.” Pat was notorious for his creative ingenuity and doing “Pat things.” During retirement, he was readily available to his children and grandchildren for any handyman project, school or sporting event.
Pat never missed a Marvell Reunion. He loved the camaraderie of the many friendships that developed in early childhood and remained constant throughout his life. When Pat was diagnosed with cancer in late October 2023, his many lifelong friends rallied and surrounded Pat with uplifting cards, visits, laughs and phone calls daily. He appreciated every day given to him. He was a respected, honorable man and trusted advisor to many. Pat leaves behind a multitude of special friends and family to cherish his memory.
In addition to his parents, his siblings, Alein George, Julia Pearline George Papa, Jack Preston George, James Perry George, Joe Phillip George, Jimmy Pierce George and Jerry Paul George, preceded Pat in death.
Survivors include, his wife, Rosa Lee Whitson George; his children, Karen Patrice George Barr and Justin Pace (Dana) George; grandchildren, Taylor Barr (Ryan) Watson, John Reed Barr, Anna Patton George, Jack Parker George and Blaire Pace George; great granddaughter, Mary Hazel Watson; brothers, Jeffery Price George of Holly Grove, Ark., and Jerome Powell (Bambi) George of Searcy, Ark.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.rayfuneralhome.net
Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland is in charge of arrangements.
