George Thomas Stump

George Thomas Stump, 83, lost his battle to cancer on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.
He was born on March 11, 1928 in Christiansburg, Virginia and although spending much of his life in Georgia and Florida he considered himself a "Virginian" first. He is survived by his soul mate Barbara, his wife of 60 years. Loving children Deborah G. Thompson, Gary T. Stump, Rebecca A. Rogers, John B. Stump and daughter- in- law Lisa Caudell Stump. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Matthew and Angela Thompson, Eric and Monica Thompson, Roy Stump, Jennifer Stump, Beth and Clint Kinsey, Paul Rogers, Katie Rogers, Michael and Ginny Stump, and Michelle Stump, as well as four great grandchildren, Kaelyn, Olivia, Tyler, and Ella. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marguerite Carroll and grandson, J. D. Stump.

Upon graduation from high school he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was stationed aboard the USS Newmasket. The ships tour of duty was in the Pacific and Asia theatre including Okinawa, Guam, Midway, Japan, Korea and the China Sea. After his discharge he returned home and used the GI Bill to enroll at VA TECH becoming a member of the Corp of Cadets. As a graduate of VA TECH, Class of 1952 he pursued a career in finance that started with Southwest Virginia Building and Loan Association in Roanoke VA, followed by executive positions at First Federal Savings of Orlando Florida and at Decatur Federal Savings & Loan in Decatur Georgia. In 1974 he joined a group of other financial professionals that founded PMI Mortgage Insurance Company where he served as Eastern Regional Vice President responsible for recruiting, hiring and managing sales and underwriting offices in the Eastern United States. After 5 years of air travel between Atlanta and Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Wash. D.C, Miami, Nashville and Orlando and with frequent visits to the Corporate Office in San Franciso he decided to get off of airplanes and return to the Thrift Industry. In 1978 he moved to Gainesville Georgia as President/CEO of First Federal Savings. After of series of thrift mergers that created Great Southern Federal he served as a Board Member of Banks located in Gainesville, Calhoun, Macon, and Tifton and was elected Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Great Southern headquartered in Savannah. After conversion of the bank's Charter from a Mutual Savings Bank to a public traded stock company he retired, returning to Gainesville where he was majority owner of Capital First Group, a consulting firm to banks, the RTC and Federal Home Loan Bank. During this period he was appointed by Regulators to the Board of Directors of Fidelity Savings Bank of Delay Beach Florida and a Director of First Federal Savings Bank of Georgia. As a member of the financial community in Orlando, Decatur, Savannah and Gainesville he served as an active participate in the business, civic and social affairs of each community. He was a member of both the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, a director of the Chamber of Commerce in Decatur, Gainesville and Savannah. In 1982 he was elected Chairman of the Greater Gainesville/Hall County Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Industrial Development Authority in Dekalb and Chatham Counties and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority in Gainesville. Other community activities included Chairman and Director of Legacy Link, Inc, Director/Member Chattahoochee Country Club, and a member/Director of Lanier Retirement Community Board of Directors the organization directly responsible for recruiting and enabling ACTS to locate Lanier Village Estates it's 15th Retirement Community to Gainesville. He was also named to the Board of Directors of Lanier Village Estates upon it's Charter in the State of Georgia.

As an active member of the Episcopal Church he served as a Member of the Vestry at St. Michael's Church of Orlando, Holy Trinity Church in Decatur and Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville. In each of these Parishes he served as either a Warden, Treasurer or Chairman of Finance Committee.

Although his business and community activities kept him occupied the welfare of his family was always his first priority. Before health became an issue he and Barbara enjoyed a travel schedule that provided an opportunity to meet many couples who became life long friends and fellow travel companions.

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church on Thursday, August 4, 2011 at 4 PM with the Rev. Doug Dailey and the Rev. Michael McCann officiating. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following a private Interment of Ashes in the All Souls Columbarium Garden at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Grace Episcopal Church (Stained Glass Window Fund) at 422 Brenau Avenue, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at masonward.com

Mason & Ward Funeral Home, 1190 McEver Road, Gainesville, Ga. 30504 is in charge of arrangements.