George Victor Tannous

He spent his first nine years in Pennsylvania, then moved cross country to Tucson, Arizona with his sister, Evelyn, and his parents. George graduated from Tucson High School, class of 1952. He then went on to University of Arizona, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity as well as the ROTC. George entered the US Army as a member of the Counter Intelligence division in 1958, based in Dallas, Texas, where he and his lifelong friend and roommate, Fritz New. They were regulars at his cousin Anne and John Joseph’s home and it was there where George forged lifelong friendships with his cousin, Milam Joseph and Vick Clesi. Those friendships lasted until George’s final day.

George started in the homebuilding industry in 1960, selling new homes for the Lusk Corporation in Tucson, Arizona. After moving up through the corporation, he was transferred to Kokomo, Indiana to serve as Sales Manager for the Indiana division. It was there where he met his wife of 56 years, Beverly. From there, they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico as Vice President and Division President, then back to the Tucson division as Vice President and Division President, which is where their first child, Stephanie, was born.

By 1965, George was Senior Vice President of the East Coast region in New York for Lusk. Missing his Southwest roots, George, Beverly and their daughter moved back to Dallas, where he was hired as Vice President of Marketing for the MacAtee Corporation, the largest building products supplier in the region. It was in Dallas where they welcomed their second child, Victor, who was born on George’s 32nd birthday. Shortly after moving back to Dallas, the Levinson Group made George an offer as Senior Vice President of a new housing group in St. Louis, Missouri. This is where their third child, John, was born in 1970.

After four years in St. Louis and much success, the family moved back to Tucson where George served as National Director of Homebuilding for The Horizon Corporation. After four more highly successful years in Tucson, the family was headed back to Dallas, their final move! Raldon Homes ultimately recruited George to serve as President and CEO for 10 incredible years. They were the first to build condominiums in Plano.

George then went out on his own in 1985 forming Sovereign Homes in 1986, quickly becoming a leader in the custom home market in DFW and winning the prestigious McSam Builder of the Year. Eight years later he formed Belle Vista homes with his son, Victor, and his gin and poker buddy, Clint Norton. After seven years at Belle Vista, it was time to step back and enjoy some time off – after 50 years in the homebuilding business.

George was a leader in the homebuilding industry in the DFW area, playing an integral part in the formation of the Sales and Marketing Council of DFW and in 1990, he received the Bill Skinner Award, which is a tribute to the individual’s foresight and dedication in serving his industry and his colleagues and is intended to recognize a homebuilder for his outstanding achievement in sales and marketing.

George was a charter member of Gleneagles Country Club and loved playing golf with his group of friends at the club and his countless golf trips with his sons and cousin Milam. His second home was the card room of Gleneagles, playing gin with whoever wanted to lose a little money. He loved playing poker throughout his adult life, often losing track of time or what day it was! Sundays were his favorite, though, starting with Church at Perkins Chapel with Beverly, Monsignor Milam’s house after Mass for brunch, followed by dinner with his family. Sundays will never be the same for all of us.

George is preceded in death by his father, George, his mother, Victoria, his sister, Evelyn and his most loved cousin, Anne. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly, his children, Stephanie, Victor and John, his cousin, Milam, his dog, Daisy, his niece, Pam and her family, and a countless number of extended family and friends. George was all about family and his home was always a welcome place for Sunday dinner.

Thanks for being the best dad and husband that we could ever ask for. We will love and miss you and will see you again someday.

His wake/rosary celebration will be Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 7:00 PM at All Saints Catholic Church, located at 5231 Meadowcreek Drive, Dallas, Texas 75248.

The Mass of Christian Burial for George will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM, also at All Saints Catholic Church.

The Mass will be Concelebrated by Reverend Monsignor Milam Joseph, Reverend Monsignor Henry Petter and Reverend Arthur Unachukwu.

In lieu of flowers please contribute to St. Jude Hospital or the SPCA.

Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas has charge of arrangements.