James Ernest McGeorge was born in Jackson County, Kentucky on August 15, 1934 and departed this life on Saint Simons Island, Georgia on May 5, 2024. He was the son of Henry and Dora McGeorge. James married Mattie Cook shortly after her high school graduation in 1958; they were married 65 years. Early in the couple’s married life, they moved to Ohio so James could pursue a career besides farming and mining. James was employed by Dayton Sure Grip for several years as a tool-and-die machinist. His skills were rapidly recognized as he was a perfectionist and took enormous pride in his work. Later he also worked for Dayton Screw Anchor.
In 1960, James and Mattie welcomed their only child, a daughter, Linda, and a few years later built a new home on Manning Road in Germantown, Ohio. Seeking warmer weather and career advancement, the family moved to Georgia in 1979 where James was employed at Meadow Steel. He was soon promoted to plant manager and retired from the company, now Koppers, in 1989. Even in retirement, his former employer often sought him out to help with special complicated jobs. Following moves back to Kentucky and then to Florida, James and Mattie
settled in Brunswick, Georgia near their daughter and her husband. Later, as Mattie’s health declined, they resided with their daughter and son-in-law on Saint Simons Island.
In retirement, James and Mattie enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and fishing. In his later years,
James was convinced that by using a Texas Instruments scientific calculator he could successfully predict the winning lottery numbers. Despite filling countless pages with his calculations, regrettably he never won. While living on Saint Simons, James enjoyed visiting the pier where he swapped fishing stories and met visitors from all over the country. James will be missed by his grand-dogs, Lula and Maggie, with whom he shared a great many Little Debbie Snack Cakes.
James was predeceased by his parents, brothers Pete McGeorge and Roy McGeorge, sister Mhyllis Allen, and his beloved wife. He is survived by daughter Linda (James) Henderson, nieces Gwen Bruns, Bonnie Chandler, Melody McGeorge, Dolores Winebarger, Erma Griffith, and Rhonda Fisher, and nephews Butch Allen, Ellis McGeorge and Ralph McGeorge.
Lakes Funeral Home (www.lakesfuneralhome.com) is entrusted with the arrangements.
The funeral service will be Thursday, May 9 at noon, preceded by family visitation at 10:00 and friends visitation at 11:00. Burial will follow the service at Liberty Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Byrd, Michael Byrd, Rich Baker, Keith Ward, Terry Bingham, and Tim Bingham. The Rev. Frank Peters will preside.
