George L. Crews

George L Crews III, 69, of Ramrod Key, FL, passed away at his home on Monday, July 15, 2019. He was born Aug. 8, 1949 in Gainesville, FL, to George and Gemmel Crews, the first of five children and an excellent big brother. A Florida boy most of his life, George graduated from Chaminade High School in Hollywood, FL, in 1968, embarking directly after on a cross-country road trip in his hippie van with a Yamaha guitar and a 35 mm camera. During the trip, he sent photos home to let family know of his whereabouts and nothing else. After his return, he served as a medic in the Army Reserve while attending Miami Dade Junior College.  He went on to graduate from the University of Florida in 1978 with a degree in soil science. He was on an award-winning soil classification team known as the “The Gator Pit Crew” and his heartfelt enthusiasm inspired sister Patty to become a geologist – her being just one of many George inspired throughout his life. He moved to Atlanta, Ga., in 1981, working for Urban Testing and Environmental Services, Inc.  He earned his Professional Engineer license in Civil Engineering and bought the business. It was in Atlanta where he met and charmed his future wife, Katty, with Seinfeld humor and golden retriever stories. The couple remained in Atlanta until George’s retirement, moving to Ramrod Key, FL, to live the good life of boating, fishing, and scuba diving. George has been described as the epitome of a southern gentleman. He had a unique, mischievous sense of humor but was fiercely loyal, humble, devoted, patient and sincere in his personal relationships, always setting a good example for others to follow and seeing things through to the end. Scuba diving was one of his greatest passions, and he and Katty dove an extensive list of Caribbean islands together.  They had planned to visit numerous National Parks that George discovered during his cross-country trip. He also was an avid gun collector and horticulturist. He will also be missed by cats Cleo and Lil Bit, with whom George played with each morning and adored. He is survived by his wife Katty of 21 years; mother Gemmel Crews of Jacksonville, FL; and four unique siblings. He was preceded in death by father George L Crews Jr. A viewing will be held Monday, July 22, from 10:00-11 a.m. at Boyd Pancieria Family Funeral Care, 6400 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood FL 33024, followed by Funeral service at 11:00. On line condolences can be shared at edkalis.com, arrangements entrusted to Edwards Cremation & Funeral Services. In George’s honor, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org or the National Rifle Association at nrafoundation.org/donate.  George was passionate about gun safety.