George Edward Birnbaum

George Edward Birnbaum, 64, of Houston, Texas passed away on November 1, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Eddy was born July 1, 1952 in Amarillo,Texas to Ernest Blaise Birnbaum and Mary Lou Clark. After moving to Houston with his father at a young age he began to further develop his skills as a brick mason and opened a store called The Fireplace Man that specialized in fireplace products, gas grills, and gas lights. His business was truly blessed by God and quickly became Houston's largest retail store for fireplace products. Blessed with an innate sense of sales he provided many Houstonians with his extensive knowledge and wisdom, always with a complimentary joke. His larger than life personality and infectious smile graced this world with a presence that is irreplaceable. He was charismatic and magnetic, filling the room with an energy that was felt by all.

Eddy enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his beach house in Galveston where he spent his days fishing, swimming, and being by the water with his wife and three children. He spent much of his free time boating and enjoyed horseback riding with his children. Eddy was also a sports fanatic spending hours watching games, especially football with his son. He enjoyed music, above all his favorite being Elvis Presley. His love of God and Lakewood Church was a large proponent in his life, teaching anyone he could the word of God and gifting many with tapes of sermons from Pastor John and Joel Osteen.

Eddy is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Michelle Monique Birnbaum, his three children: Jennifer Michelle Birnbaum, Ashley Monique Birnbaum, and Dylan Edward Birnbaum. He is also survived by his sister Kathy Purdy and his brother in law Gerald Purdy of Amarillo Texas, his sister Wilma Lou West, sister Sherry Moore Mason, Doc Moore of Foreman Arkansas, sister in law Jacqueline Hughes and Dean Hughes of Katy Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Roy Birnbaum.