Imre Szell, Jr.

Major Imre Szell, Jr. (affectionately known to many as “Papa”) was born in Battonya, Hungary in 1936 to his Father Imre Szell Sr and his Mother Szlavnoi Belyacz Szell. When he was a teenager in 1956, he participated in the revolution against the Soviet Union. As a result, he was forced to flee his country and was able to emigrate to the United States. He joined the United States Army and very proudly became an American citizen. Imre proudly flew the Huey helicopter and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. During the course of his military career, he met his beloved wife, Carrie. Together they raised their two sons, Paul and Mike, residing around the Southeast and ultimately settling in Georgia. When he and Carrie were married, Imre was lovingly “adopted” by the community of Buford and Buford Church of God, and he considered the people of the church and Carrie’s large Braswell family to be his own. 

Imre was rarely the center of attention, but he was a firm pillar of the family. He could be a commanding, firm presence, but was also kind, gentle, and loving, especially with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He deeply loved his family, his country, and the Lord, and he spent his life full of immense gratitude for all three. 

Imre is survived by his sons, Paul (Stacie) and Michael (Ingrid), his brother Paul, his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carrie, his parents Imre and Szlavnoi, and his daughter-in-law Carol. 

Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024 in the Chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home. Interment will occur at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 with Full Military Honors at the GA National Cemetery in Canton, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, August 26, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com. Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.