George Thomas Smelser

George Thomas "Papaw G", "Geeves" Smelser, 62, of Kingsport, died Sunday, February 14, 2010, at Johnson City Medical Center after an apparent heart attack. George was born in Wytheville, VA, and had resided in Kingsport most of his life. In the early years of K.Y.S.A. soccer, he was very active in coaching and refereeing. He was self-employed and currently working with Ford Systems in Kingsport. George was a former member of the Kingsport Jaycees.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Green and Pearl Smelser; a sister, Phyllis Linkous; and a brother, Mason Smelser.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda Smelser, of the home; daughter Kelly Smelser, of Kingsport; sons Mark Smelser and wife Tiffany, of Blountville, and Michael Smelser and wife Betsy, of Kingsport; the mother of his children, Janie McNew, of Johnson City; five grandchildren, Hannah, Porter, Nevan, Landon, and Haydon; a sister, Margie Price and husband Roey, of Blountville; two brothers, Green Smelser, of Richmond, VA, and Danny Smelser and wife, Susan, of Lynchburg, VA; sister-in-law, Lyndia Goodnight; brothers-in-law, Jerry Lohse, Dusty Lohse, and Roger Linkous and wife, Sandy; uncle and aunt, Homer and Peggy Smelser, of Wytheville, VA; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be an informal gathering of family and friends on Friday, February 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Celebration Church in Blountville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brenda Smelser on behalf of the George Smelser Life Fund, Bank of Tennessee, 301 East Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660, ATTN: Diane McCrary.