George "Pete" Emmitt Squires

Born on June 29, 1930 in Kelly, North Carolina, Pete moved to Newport News, Virginia at the age of 18 to attend The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, but subsequently was called into service for the Army until 1956 and then resumed his services with Newport News Shipbuilding. Pete was sent to Idaho to pursue nuclear shipbuilding where he was instrumental in the development of nuclear power on Navy ships. He continued to work for the shipyard, until retirement in 1991, as the deputy director of Radiological Control Department (RADCON). 32nd degree Master Mason, Pete was a member of Monitor Lodge 197 and the Valley of Newport News. He was a 50-year Scottish Rite Mason and an active Shriner. Being an avid hunter and advocate for the outdoors, he was a founding member of the Old Dominion Hunt Club in James City County, Virginia where he enjoyed many memories with his special friends and family there.

Pete was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Jean Higgins Squires; his parents, Robert and Rossie Mae Squires; grandson, Casey Jones; brothers, Oliver, Carson, Jack and sister, Ethel Mae Squires; and also his beloved parents-in-law, Foy and Lennie Higgins.

He is survived by daughters, Deborah S. Jones (Steven) and Carol S. Gratton (Mark); grandchildren, Travis Jones (AnnMarie), Nicholas Jones (Virginia), Faith Victoria Glass (Dalton) and Christina Cornick; great-grandchildren, Haden and Mills Jones, Thayer Jones, Madelyn and Charlotte Glass. He is also survived by a sister, Thelma Benson, and sisters-in-law, Barbara Squires and Stella Squires; cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends, all who will continue to celebrate having this warm-hearted, gregarious, loving, kind person in their lives.

Small in stature, but large in his faith, Pete was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Newport News for more than 70 years and was a lifetime deacon. At First Baptist, he served on a number of committees and had the responsibility of assisting with Sunday School record keeping for many years. Pete was active in the AIK Fraternity, American Legion and various other community organizations. Pete and Jean loved to travel and spend time in their second home in Kelly, North Carolina. Throughout the years, they enjoyed supporting their grandchildren by attending various sporting events. He most recently loved seeing his great-grandchildren play soccer, t-ball, baseball, and softball. Fishing in the great outdoors brought him great joy. Being an avid outdoorsman, talking about wildlife and hunting with his son-in-law and grandsons and his buddies at Old Dominion was one of his favorite pastimes. Also, he was a passionate NASCAR racing fan. He and Jean attended many races over the years with friends.

He was a kind and compassionate person and contributed to numerous charitable organizations. There are so many to thank, making it impossible to provide all the names. However, the family expresses their sincere gratitude to his beloved neighbors, who looked after him for decades, and his warmhearted loving caregivers, who took care of him in his final chapter: Sharon Ricks, Nicole Perry, Jacqui Johnson, Quinetta Murray, Linda Wilson and Drusilla Ashby.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Pete’s life will be held at First Baptist Church Newport News, 12716 Warwick Boulevard by Pastor Randy Shepley at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 19. Interment will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park. A reception will follow in Payne Hall at the church immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Pete’s memory be made to the American Cancer Society, 11835 Canon Boulevard, Suite 102A, Newport News, VA 23606 and/or to First Baptist Church Newport News. His family would also like to extend a sincere note of gratitude for your love and support as you help us celebrate this wonderful man.