Dr. George R. Jurch Jr.

JURCH, Dr. George R., Jr., 82 of Valrico passed away on January 18, 2017. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Molly, three children (George, Steven, and Carol), 8 grandchildren (Madeline, Alayna, Alex, Owen, Molly, Sophie, Jasmine and Seth) and 2 great-grandchildren (Chanel and Aleah). George graduated with his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida, master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and doctorate from the University of California at San Diego where he was tutored by a Nobel prize winning chemist. He served several years in the Army where he met his loving wife. Dr. Jurch was a Chemistry Professor teaching at the University of South Florida for over 36 years. Many a doctor took his Organic Chemistry class and many of the doctors in the Tampa Bay area are graduates of his class. He had many accomplished and successful graduate students that call him mentor and teacher. Besides being a devoted and loving father, he spent countless hours teaching his kids all subjects and attending their sporting events and many a days at the swimming pool. He was a wine enthusiast and wine judge at many national contests. Besides being a professor at USF, he was on the original committee that brought football to USF and a lifelong season ticket holder for their basketball team. He is missed by all and even though Alzheimer’s robbed him of his abilities in some of his later life, he fought the disease for 15 years before it took him too early. He was an accomplished pianist that played solo with the Tampa Symphony as a high school student. His musical accomplishments landed him an offer to attend the Juilliard School of music, but he passed on that opportunity to pursue his passion for science. We miss him greatly, but know he is in a better place in heaven probably teaching Jesus some complex chemical equations or sipping on a great Cabernet Sauvignon with the good Lord himself. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 from 3-5 p.m. at Stowers Funeral Home in Brandon. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, www.alz.org/flgulfcoast. Condolences may be left at www.stowersfh.com