George was such a good, fun, smart friend. My heart goes out to Barbara and Zoe and George’s cousins. We will all miss him terribly.

My heart hurts. George may have been one of my first friends in Brevard and aside from emails I have not heard from him is a long time. Please accept my sincere sorrow for your loss. We have lost a neat person,

George was my best friend from the 9th grade until he died last week. We had our disagreements, but that was because we cared about each other so much. One of my lasting memories will be of playing golf with him on Barbados and watching the monkeys run off with the golf balls. He was like the brother I never had.

There are no words for how I will miss this man; his wit, his humor, his wealth of information; but mostly his compassion and deep love for all of those who surrounded him, both physically and from a distance. He was a true friend and his loss is immense. Never underestimate the power of his love for all of you!

I enjoyed reuniting with George over the past year and a half and having him meet my family. He had a way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and loved. Our condolences go to all the friends and family he left behind. We will miss George and will cherish our memories of the most kind, loving, caring intellectual one could hope to know.

Beverly VanHook-Schrey & Herb Schrey

Franklin, NC

Hilary and Melanie Schrey

Palm Bay, FL

I just read in Avl Cit-Times for 8/19/12 about George’s passing, p. B3. He was a super English grad student and teaching assistant at WCU early in my own career–I was Director of Freshman English back then. Smart, witty, and hard-working, George stood out among an outstanding group that we had in the English Dept in the late 1970’s. Many of his teachers have passed on, but I hope his peers will learn of this loss and join me in mourning it. Condolences to all family and friends.

I knew George through my husband Philip Wade, who was department head of English at WCU when George was a student and grad student. Never one to lavish unmerited praise, Phil always called George “smart,” his highest tribute and reserved for very few. Phil appreciated George’s wit, intellect and modesty. My sincere condolences go to Barbara, his daughter Zoe, his family and devoted friends.

I knew George from sharing English classes with him when we were both at WCU. I was very sorry to learn of his death. I remember him as witty and smart. Please know that I have the family in my prayers.