George Thomas Paris died December 22, 2020, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 29, 1940 in Lynchburg, Virginia to the late Charles Rufus Paris and Mary Watkins Bullock Paris. While he lived 80 years on this earth, he only celebrated his 20th birthday this year as a leap year baby!
He was a 1987 graduate of St. Andrew's Presbyterian College, graduating Suma Cum Laude with a degree in business. He enlisted in the North Carolina Army national Guard in 1957, retiring in 1993 from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Full Colonel. He devoted nearly four decades of public service to the Town of Red Springs, serving eight years as a town commissioner (1971-1979), and 30 years as mayor (1979-2009). Amongst the many ways he led the changes and enhancements that moved Red Springs forward, most memorable was his tireless leadership through the restoration of the town following the devastation caused by the tornados in March 1984. In 2010 he received the Long Leaf Pine award for distinguished service to the state of North Carolina from Governor Bev Perdue.
He became a Registered Land Surveyor in North Carolina in 1967 and was owner of George T Paris and Associates, PA - Land Surveying, where he continued to work until his passing. He was a long-time member of the NC Society of Surveyors, also serving as President, as well as a member of the NC Board of Examiners for Engineers and Land Surveyors, serving as Chairman in 1985. He was a dedicated member of the Red Springs Presbyterian Church where he was ordained as a deacon in 1970, an Elder in 1987 and served as Clerk of Session for many years. He also sang in the church's choir since 1955.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Rufus Paris and Mary Watkins Bullock Paris, his wife, Euolene Sizemore Paris, his brothers Charles Paris, Jr, Ben Paris, and Walter Paris. He leaves behind his children, Tom Paris (Laurie) of Red Springs, Elizabeth Paris Floyd (Al) of Raleigh, and Sam Paris (Sasha) of Bristow, Virginia, a sister Mary Paris Templeton (Bill) of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren..
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2021 in Alloway Cemetery in Red Springs, with the Rev. Dari Rowen officiating. All attendees are asked and expected to wear masks and follow all COVID-19 social distancing regulations.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests for donations in his honor be made to Red Springs Presbyterian Church, 115 North Vance St., Red Springs, N.C. 28377.
Services for the Family are entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home, 220 East 4th Ave, Red Springs, NC 28377. Condolences to the Family may be made at www.crumplerfh.com