George was born in Brownsville General Hospital on November 17, 1954 to parents John Thomas and Sara Mae Vavases. A graduate of California Area High School, George joined the United States Navy in 1972. He was selected to serve under several four star admirals as a flag writer, traveling to many foreign countries and accumulating a great deal of sea time during shipboard duty in the Mediterranean and Pacific. George earned an Associate of Arts Degree from the University of the State of New York during off-duty hours, and he retired from the Navy in 1992 as a Chief Warrant Officer. George began his second career as a financial planner upon retirement from the Navy. Staying true to his nature of service to others, George specialized in the Survivor Benefit Plan to ensure dependents of military personnel who died while on duty or after retirement received financial support. After retiring for the second time, George returned to his roots in Pennsylvania, where he found joy in life’s simplest pleasures. He loved fishing on the Monongahela River and its creeks, playing pocket billiards on his beloved pool table, and woodworking at his lathe to create gifts for his family and friends. George was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his three children: Valerie (Jonathon) Myers, Wendy (Craig) Barbeau, and Michael Vavases; his brothers John Vavases and Tim Scott; and his sisters Victoria (Henry) Thornton, Deborah (Jack) Ferenci, Rebecca (Gerry) Donnelly, and Tammy (Tim) Levine. George also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

George will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society by phone at 1-800-227-2345 or by mail at P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.