Richard W. George

Richard W. "Dick" George, age 80, of New Madison, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at the EverHeart Hospice Care Center in Greenville, Ohio.

He was born on May 17, 1942, to the late Kenneth and Juanita (Henderson) George.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy (Derr) George, and infant sister, Mary Lola.

Dick was a 1960 graduate of New Madison High School. After high school, Dick began working for McCalls/Dayton Press and later retired from Belden Wire and Cable in Richmond, Indiana as a machinist. He farmed for over 30 years, raising cattle, pigs, and chickens, along with corn, beans, wheat and alfalfa, all while working a full-time job.

He was hard-working and a great provider for his family. He worked any overtime he could get for the extra money, but he somehow always found a way to attend his kids and grandkids ball games, concerts, and other events, even when it meant little to no sleep. He would change shifts or trade with co-workers, often working third shift so he could be home during the day to coach and attend many events.

He served his community as a coach, a Board Member of the New Madison Summer Recreation, coached several teams and continually performed maintenance on the ball diamonds to improve the community facilities. He was a member of the Tri-Village School Board for 8 years. He coached girls' softball, starting in the New Madison Summer Recreation then assembled a travel team, or in today's terminology, a select team. That team became the ASA State Runner Up in 1978. The core of that team played on the Tri-Village High School Softball team making 3 consecutive runs to the OHSAA State Tournament and 4 consecutive Regional Finals.

He was coaxed out of coaching retirement some 25 years later by a young Great Niece and a group of young ladies cut by other teams. He worked to build their skills and their confidence and in their second year together they won both their league and their league tourney. Many of those girls went on to play major roles on their high school team. This group provided great joy to him, and he was very proud of them. He traveled all over Ohio watching his grandkids and great grandkids in 4H, playing sports, performing in the band or on the theater stage.

Dick is survived by his friend, companion, and fiancé, Christy Hight; a son, Scott (Ruthann) George; two daughters, Monyca (Bob) Schlechty and Dawn (Kent) Mikesell; six grandchildren, Kami (Adam) Hollinger, Kara (Zac) Graham, Josh (Amy) Schlechty, Stacia Bolton, Derick (Harley Kautz) Mikesell, Sarah George and Connor George; great-children, Cameron, Cadyn and Emma Schlechty, Jayden and Kasyn Hollinger and Piper, Paizley, and Parks Graham and Beckett Bolton; his brothers, David (Becky) George and Sam (Cinda) George, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, October 3, 2022, at Tribute Funeral Homes, Greenville Campus with Pastors Don Smith and Eric Laux officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmound Cemetery in New Madison.

Dick's family will receive guests on Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 3:00-7:00 PM, and again on Monday, from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at the funeral home in Greenville.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Tri-Village Rescue, P. O. Box 247, New Madison, Ohio 45346 or EverHeart Hospice, 1350 N. Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331.

Online condolences may be shared with Dick's family at tributefuneralhomes.com.