George Morgan Toney

George Morgan Toney, resident of Memphis, TN, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014. George was 89 years old. Born in Hope, AR on December 20, 1924, he grew up in Pine Bluff, AR and graduated from Warren High School in 1942. George then attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where he received a Bachelor of Music in 1946 and a Master of Music Research in French Horn in 1951.

Before starting his teaching career, he traveled and played for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus in many places like New York City’s Madison Square Gardens, Colorado Springs, and Philadelphia. From 1951-1990, he served as the band and choir director of many schools throughout Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee, including East High School, Bellevue Jr. High and Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal School – all in Memphis, TN. Although George decided to retire from teaching in 1990, his dedication and love of music continued with his involvement in the River City Concert Band from 1997-2004. He especially loved singing in the Independent Presbyterian Church choir and was a faithful member until his death. He was a Charter Member of both the Columbus Philharmonic Symphony in Columbus, OH and Memphis Symphony Orchestra in Memphis, TN.

A memorial service for George will be held on Monday, December 1st at 11:00 a.m. at the Independent Presbyterian Church chapel. The family will receive visitors on Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the Rotunda at the church. A burial service for family and close friends will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Crittenden Memorial Park in Marion, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Toney’s memory should be made to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (587 S. Mendenhall Road, Memphis, TN 38117) or the Music Ministry at Independent Presbyterian Church (4738 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38117).