George Randolph Gammon, God’s faithful servant for 103 years, entered his heavenly home on April 13, 2017. A “Celebration of a Life Well Lived” will be held at George’s home church, St. Paul’s UUMC in Christiansburg, on Friday, April 21, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to St. Paul’s UUMC, 220 West Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
Born on Feb. 22, 1914 in Northfork, West Virginia, George was the only son of Robert F. Gammon and Bertie Sutcliffe Gammon. He had two sisters: Eva Jackie Gammon McCoy and Mary Elizabeth Gammon. George was pre-deceased by his parents and sisters, along with his loving wife of 60 years, Hazel Jones Gammon.
George and Hazel Gammon were proud parents of two sons: Joe Gammon (Joyce) and Tom Gammon (Suzie). They were blessed with five grandchildren: Marianne Horne Burgess, Jennifer Gammon Manahan (Isaiah), Nathan Gammon (Mary), Ashley Gammon Bagwell (Chris) and Meredith Gammon Atkinson (Daniel), along with 8 beautiful great grandchildren.
After attending Concord and Marshall Colleges, George graduated from Roanoke Business College in 1936. He worked initially as an accountant with Consolidated Bus Lines in Bluefield, West Virginia. However, the majority of his career years were spent in Christiansburg as a cost accountant for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, a major supplier of munitions for the U.S. Military in World War II.
An indicator of George’s work ethic and endless energy is the fact that, in the early 1960’s, he owned and operated Gammon’s Dairy Treat on Radford Street in Christiansburg, which was in addition to his full-time work. He later built the building that housed Ray’s Restaurant for over 25 years and he just sold that building in 2016. Even after his official “retirement,” George remained in the workforce as a Courier for First National Bank of Christiansburg (later Union Bank) until the age of 95.
George was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Christiansburg for over 50 years, where he demonstrated his Christian commitment through faithful attendance and service as an usher for both Sunday worship services for many years.
A true patriot, George’s first vote for a presidential candidate was for Franklin Delano Roosevelt and at the age of 102 he was featured in the news as he voted in person at the polls in the 2016 Presidential election!
In addition to his love for God, family and country, George loved dancing! He was especially known for his “Shag dancing” expertise and never left the dance floor at his grandchildren’s weddings! George’s 101st birthday celebration was held at the Sapphire Ballroom where he showed off his numerous dancing skills and also was presented a Key to the City of Christiansburg for outstanding community service by Mayor Mike Barber!
The entire Gammon family is grateful beyond words for George’s caregiver, Joyce Songer, for her loyalty, willing service, expertise, and special love for George that enabled him to remain in the home he loved for his last years.