Harris Brantley George, Jr., 75, of Palatka, passed from this life on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at the Orange Park Medical Center following an extended illness. Born in St. Augustine to Harris B. George, Sr. and Maude Clifton George, Harris spent his early childhood in St. Augustine and was raised in Japan and Germany the son of a military family. Harris likewise served in the Navy Reserves and was trained in Underwater Demolition. In the 1960’s, after receiving training in Law Enforcement from St. Augustine Technical School, he served as an officer with the Palatka Police Department and then moved over to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in the 1970’s. Harris was an accomplished swimmer and certified scuba diver. In 1974, he placed 3rd in the State of Florida in the breast-stroke at the Police Olympics held in San Francisco, CA. Following his time at the PCSO, Harris became employed with the St. Johns River Water Management District where he was a water resource specialist and retired following 33 years of dedicated service. Harris was also a licensed well contractor and was Past President of the Northeast Florida Well Water Association as well as a member of the board of directors of the Florida Groundwater Association. He was also a member of River Road Baptist Church. In his leisure time, Harris was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, horse-back riding, farming and mending fences. He also enjoyed time spent traveling with his wife Vi throughout the U.S. and several other countries. Harris was also a life-long avid reader with a preference for Louis L’amour Western Novels.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Rose Bell McMullen.
Harris is survived by his wife of 49 years, Viola “Vi” Driggers George, 2 sons, H.B. George, III and Adam Edward George (Kelly), 5 brothers, John George, Dell George, Joseph George, Howard George and Harold George, 5 grandchildren, Nathan George, Wanda George, Austin George, Hayden George and Faith George, 4 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nita and Richard Armstrong and their children, Robert Warner and Sean Warner, sister-in-law, Susan Driggers, numerous nieces and nephews including, Randy Driggers, Rhonda Ward, Stuart George, Brandon George, Summer George, Craig George and Ashleigh George.
Harris’s Homegoing Celebration will be at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, August 2, 2020 at Francis Baptist Church with burial to follow at Decoy Cemetery in Clay County. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 P.M. at Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.
Due to the Covid 19 virus, those attending the services and visitation are required to wear a mask and following distancing guidelines.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or memorial donations may be sent to River Road Baptist Church, 344 West River Road, Palatka, FL 32177 or to Francis Baptist Church Youth Fund, 155 CR309C, Palatka, FL 32177.
Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Harris’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.