Celebrating the life of
F. Vreeland George, Jr.
July 14, 1924 - December 30, 2015
Frank Vreeland George, Jr. passed away at Savannah Squares under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. He was born on July 14, 1924 in Savannah, Ga. to Frank V. and Martha George. He graduated from Savannah High School in 1942.
He joined the Marine Corps in February 1943 and served with the Marine Air Group 24, VMSB 241 dive-bomber squadron in the Western Pacific Theater during WWII, received the Distinguished Flying Cross, several Air Medals and other awards. Vreeland was recalled to active duty in 1950 with the Marine Corps for the Korean War. In 1951, he served as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, S.C. , was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at Quantico, Va., and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as an Engineer Platoon Leader. After returning to Savannah in 1952, he joined the 5th Rifle Company, Marine Reserves, subsequently became the Commanding Officer, and later attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After WWII, he attended Georgia Tech, graduating in 1950 with a degree of Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He was inducted into Georgia Tech’s “College of Engineering Hall of Fame” in 2001. While at Georgia Tech he joined the Sigma Chi Fraternity. During the summer of 1949, he and his good friend/Tech roommate Tommy Smith traveled to Honduras to work for the United Fruit Company on a banana plantation.
In 1952, he was employed by Thomas and Hutton Engineering Co. in Savannah and served as President for 23 years before retiring in 1995. Vreeland loved his T&H families. He was named “Consulting Engineer of the Year” in 1986 by the Consulting Engineers Council of Georgia and elected a Life Member. He was a Fellow of the American Consulting Engineers Council. An engineering scholarship at the Georgia Southern School of Engineering was established in his name.
A lifetime and 4th generation member of First Baptist Church, he served in many lay leadership capacities including Sunday School Director, chairman of the Diaconate, Finance, Property, and Facilities Planning Committees and was elected a Life Deacon.
He was a member, former Director, Past Secretary, and Past President of The Rotary Club of Savannah, former Trustee of the Georgia Rotary Student Endowment Program and named a Paul Harris Fellow, Kendall Weisiger Fellow, Hue Thomas Fellow, Will Watt Fellow and Pointer Pierpont Fellow.
Vreeland was a member of the Chatham Club; former member of the Savannah Park and Tree Commission; former member of the Royce Learning Center Board of Trustees; former member of the CEO council and other committees of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce; a member of The Mighty 8th Air Force Heritage Museum Foundation; a member of the Georgia Tech –Savannah Advisory Committee being instrumental in having a Georgia Tech regional campus located in Savannah.
Vreeland married his teenage sweet-heart, Allene Wilkie, on January 12, 1956 and raised 4 children. She predeceased him in August 2015. Vreeland was a long time season ticket holder for his beloved Ga. Tech Yellow Jackets and they attended many games with their dear friends Joe and Ann Stubbs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank V. and Martha George and brother Sidney L. George. Surviving are his children Frances Arnsdorff (Glenn), Charles L. George (Holly), Lorne V. George (Sheila), Jennifer Hartenhoff (Larry); grandchildren Karsen A. George, Frank V. George III, Lilly S. George, Robert Jay Sutton, Jr. (Joy); sisters Louise Ferguson, Ann Fisch (Walter),sister-in-law Jane George and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would like to thank Missie, Lori and Jon of Spanish Oaks Hospice for their love and support as well as his wonderful caretakers Ericka, Taneese, Gloria and Ayesha.
Remembrances may be made to First Baptist Church of Savannah, P.O. Box 9551, Savannah, GA 31412, The Royce Learning Center, Georgia Rotary Student Endowment, The F. Vreeland George, Jr. University Honors Program Scholarship, Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc.
Visitation will be 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Savannah.
All are welcome to join the family for the burial at 1:00 p.m. in the Beaufort National Cemetery.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
Dear Jennifer,Larry and Fran. Please know that I am thinking about you'll and keeping you'll in my prayers. Mr. George was such a great dad, husband, and inspiration to others. I am so appreciative of the time that we spent together. Mr. and Mrs. George were not just clients to me, they were more like my mom and dad and you'll were and still will remain my sisters. I just visited him for a brief moment a couple of weeks ago and always enjoyed that big smile with the great conversations we would have. I always felt good about being at their house beacause of the fine people that they are. I will always remember Mr. & Mrs. George with a smile and those pleasant words they had for everybody. I definitely will always remember those precious moments we had watching college games on tv, him enjoying those good deserts especially his chocolate icecream and those good ole jokes with laughs. Mr. George served a good life, loved his church family, Georgia Tech family, Vet family, siblings, grandchildren and children. My love and sympathy goes out to you'll and to your family. Love, Regina Grant
- Regina Grant with Home Instead, Savannah , Georgia
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr. George. It was an honor to have known him; he was the President of Thomas & Hutton when I was hired to work there in 1995 and retired that year. I know he will be truly missed and never be forgotten.
- Cristy Llewellyn Lawrence, Savannah, GA
Dear Fran and Family, What a sweet reunion your Dad is having with loved ones. I know you are comforted by that and many happy memories. Love, Beth and Peter Harris, Charles Waldrop, and Lynn Smithberg
- Beth Waldrop Harris, St. Augustine, FL
Dear Family, I was one of the caregivers with Home Instead and I just want to pass on my condolences to the family. I did not realize you had also lost your Mom in August until I saw this obituary.It was a pleasure to care for them both, they were fine people. I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all. God Bless. Mary Helton
- Mary Helton, Savannah, TN
I was fortunate to work with Vreeland when he was on the Board at Royce Learning Center. While he had my utmost respect, we were on a first name basis. He helped Royce grow and his advice was always held in high regard. I was able to watch Sid Nutting, George Fawcett and Vreeland govern but also be there to do any job that would help the Center. They governed by example. When waiting for meetings to start he would always sit in the front office and shake his head. He enjoyed watching the students and teachers. I always threatened to give him students to work with and he would just laugh. It was a privilege to know him and to call him a friend.
- Carolyn Hannaford, Savannah, Ga.
I served under major George in the 5th Rifle Co. USMCR. He was a stand-up guy and a MARINE to the corp. May God richly bless his family. You can be proud of your DAD. SEMPER FI, Reds HElmey
- reds helmey, savannah, ga
I had the pleasure of meeting Vreeland in the 1980's and I always admired the way he carried himself. He was very professional and his love for his country is obvious. Vreeland was respected by everyone, especially his employees. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
- Jack Forehand, Savannah, GA
Mr. George will be missed. RIP, my friend.
- Genie & Marie Brazzeal , Savannah , GA
Dear Jennifer,Larry and Fran. Please know that I am thinking about you'll and keeping you'll in my prayers. Mr. George was such a great dad, husband, and inspiration to others. I am so appreciative of the time that we spent together. Mr. and Mrs. George were not just clients to me, they were more like my mom and dad and you'll were and still will remain my sisters. I just visited him for a brief moment a couple of weeks ago and always enjoyed that big smile with the great conversations we would have. I always felt good about being at their house beacause of the fine people that they are. I will always remember Mr. & Mrs. George with a smile and those pleasant words they had for everybody. I definitely will always remember those precious moments we had watching college games on tv, him enjoying those good deserts especially his chocolate icecream and those good ole jokes with laughs. Mr. George served a good life, loved his church family, Georgia Tech family, Vet family, siblings, grandchildren and children. My love and sympathy goes out to you'll and to your family. Love, Regina Grant
- Regina Grant with Home Instead, Savannah , Georgia
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Mr. George. It was an honor to have known him; he was the President of Thomas & Hutton when I was hired to work there in 1995 and retired that year. I know he will be truly missed and never be forgotten.
- Cristy Llewellyn Lawrence, Savannah, GA
Dear Fran and Family, What a sweet reunion your Dad is having with loved ones. I know you are comforted by that and many happy memories. Love, Beth and Peter Harris, Charles Waldrop, and Lynn Smithberg
- Beth Waldrop Harris, St. Augustine, FL
Dear Family, I was one of the caregivers with Home Instead and I just want to pass on my condolences to the family. I did not realize you had also lost your Mom in August until I saw this obituary.It was a pleasure to care for them both, they were fine people. I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you all. God Bless. Mary Helton
- Mary Helton, Savannah, TN
I was fortunate to work with Vreeland when he was on the Board at Royce Learning Center. While he had my utmost respect, we were on a first name basis. He helped Royce grow and his advice was always held in high regard. I was able to watch Sid Nutting, George Fawcett and Vreeland govern but also be there to do any job that would help the Center. They governed by example. When waiting for meetings to start he would always sit in the front office and shake his head. He enjoyed watching the students and teachers. I always threatened to give him students to work with and he would just laugh. It was a privilege to know him and to call him a friend.
- Carolyn Hannaford, Savannah, Ga.
I served under major George in the 5th Rifle Co. USMCR. He was a stand-up guy and a MARINE to the corp. May God richly bless his family. You can be proud of your DAD. SEMPER FI, Reds HElmey
- reds helmey, savannah, ga
I had the pleasure of meeting Vreeland in the 1980's and I always admired the way he carried himself. He was very professional and his love for his country is obvious. Vreeland was respected by everyone, especially his employees. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.
- Jack Forehand, Savannah, GA
Mr. George will be missed. RIP, my friend.
- Genie & Marie Brazzeal , Savannah , GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
