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George Russell Smalley

3 min read

Ohiopyle

George Russell Smalley, 89, of Ohiopyle, passed peacefully into heavenly rest surrounded by loving family Tuesday, October 29, 2019.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Nellie Lambie Smalley; his parents, the late Frederick G. and Laura Watson Smalley; four brothers, Roy, James, Fred and Clyde; and an infant sister, Sylvia.

He was the inspirational leader, consummate story teller, and beloved patriarch to his family, including his five children, George Jr. “Rusty” and wife Vicki of Hopwood, Richard and wife Darlene of Aiken, S.C., Robert and wife Laurie of Ohiopyle, Teresa Christman and husband Dennis of Ohiopyle, and Mary Simon of Campobello, S.C. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, Grant of Weathford, Texas, Jeremy (Holly) of Roanoke, Va., Rachel Henne (Austin) of New Market, Md., Melanie Charlton (Trey) of Arnold, Md., Jonathan (Grace) of Denver, Colo.; Matthew Smalley (Anna) of Reston, Va., Jennifer Gregor (Jared) of Uniontown, Tiffany Hostetler (Shon) of Ohiopyle, Catherine Davis (Dustin) of Somerset; Stephanie Simon of Campobello, S.C., and Jacob Simon of Clemson, S.C.

He was also predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Jackie; and son-in-law Jim Simon, whom he cherished as his own.

In his golden years, he delighted in adventures with his eight great-grandchildren, especially touring them around his farm. There are many in the extended family, church and community that he embraced warmly as “grafted” into the family.

Mr. Smalley was a devoted Christian his whole life and, most recently, attended and served as elder in Cherry Tree Alliance Church.

He served as a combat infantryman in the U.S. Army in Korea, providing leadership that led to recognitions including the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon return from Korea, he founded the George R. Smalley Company, and later the Building Systems Company of Hopwood. In addition to leadership in military, church and business, Mr. Smalley served his community as a member of the Uniontown School Board, the board of the Fayette Vocational Technical School, and as chairman of the Intermediate Unit for his region. Locally, he led the effort to establish the community center in the Ohiopyle school.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in DONALD R. CRAWFORD FUNERAL HOME of Farmington, and from 10 until the 11 a.m. hour of service Saturday, November 2, at Cherry Tree Alliance Church, Cherry Tree Lane, Uniontown, with the Rev. David Goodin officiating. Interment will follow at Bryner Ridge Cemetery, Middle Ridge Road near Ohiopyle.

The family wants to express their sincerest appreciation to Diane Humbert for her compassionate care and invaluable guidance.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cherry Tree Alliance Church, or Bryner Ridge Cemetery, P.O. Box 1076, Hopwood, PA 15445.

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