COLUMBIA, Mo. — Charles T. “Ted” George, 74, of Columbia, Mo., formerly of Parsons, died at his home Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.

He was born July 15, 1937, in Greenbush to Edward C. and Eileen (Marnell) George. As a young boy, he grew up in St. Paul and moved with his family in 1953 to Parsons. He was a 1957 graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Parsons.

Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he returned to Parsons, where he worked in the family business, George Motor Co., until its closing in 1973. Later that year, he became owner and operator of George Motor Co. located at 32nd and Main in Parsons until he retired in 1999. In 2000, he moved to Columbia, Mo., where he worked part-time as a school bus driver.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Parsons, which later became St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed fishing and yard work and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He married Mary Jo Stephenson May 24, 1958, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Eddie George and his wife, Kay, of Smithville, Mo.; a daughter, Robyn Hatley and her husband, Chuck, of Columbia, Mo.; four grandchildren, Kennedy Smith, Lauren Smith, both of Columbia, Mo., Jamis George and Malorie Summa and her husband, Matt, all of Kansas City, Mo.; three brothers, Jerry George of Phoenix, Frank George of Wichita and Dick George of Parsons; three sisters, Joann LaForge, Donna George, both of New Orleans, and Paula Muckerheide of Overland Park; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Jack George; a daughter, Becky George; and a granddaughter, Darcy George.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Sunday at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will meet with friends after the rosary.

Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick’s School Endowment Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.