George L. Gortney   12/25/33 – 07/17/23

Our father George Lewis Gortney left this world peacefully of multiple natural causes on July 17th, 2023, at the age of 89 ½.

A long time Canton resident and East Sparta High School graduate, George was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina to Holt and Pauline Gortney. He spent many productive years in the Automotive industry and held executive sales positions for Borg-Warner corporation's aftermarket auto parts division (often serving as an expert witness in clutch failure court cases), Cleveland Steel, Anchor Industries, and Hastings Corporation. He ran his own successful automotive parts representative firm, Gortney and Associates, for over twenty years. After retirement, he helped manage the business end of his sons' auto/marine repair shop, Brian's Automotive. A master salesman, he once sold the scrap product from the shop floor of Cleveland Steel at a profit!

He was a member of East Sparta Christian Church, and a long-term member of Canton Lodge #60, F. & A.M.

George was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marjorie Alice (Hockenberry) Gortney (8/29/31 – 9-10-21) and four siblings Chris Gortney, Elizabeth Ann Gortney, Harold Gortney, and Vivian Gortney.  He is survived by his son Brian Wade Gortney (also born on Christmas day) and his wife Connie Sue (Jeffers) Gortney, Brenda Lynn (Gortney) Johnson and her husband Robert Orrin Johnson Jr of Pollock Pines, California, grandson Brian Wade Gortney II, step grandson Eric Keener of Eagle, Idaho, granddaughter Layla Rhiannon Kovacevic of Pollock Pines, California, and granddaughter Athena Marie Kovacevic of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

George loved to garden, tell stories, eat great Southern food, and read western books. He was generous to a fault, and always had some great advice to give whether about life, gardening, or food. He was a master mechanic and could fix anything. His tomatoes were always the biggest in the neighborhood, and he enjoyed a good argument now and then. He will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Many thanks to Hennis Care Centre of Bolivar and Crossroads Hospice for the compassion and kindness during his last months.

We would love for you to come and honor his life. A graveside service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in Melscheimer Cemetery with Timothy Carlson officiating. Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 866-9425