George Dennis Alvey, age 80, of Miami, Florida passed away on Saturday May 4, 2019. George was born January 2, 1939 in Kissimmee, Florida to Drew Morris and Mary Hunter. He was the youngest boy, ninth to be born and ninth to pass away. His parents died when he was just nine years old. For the next eight years he was shuffled from one sibling to another, leaving him rebellious, lost and not feeling like he fit in. He joined the Army on March 6, 1957 at 18 years old with little more than an 8th grade education. In the 3 years he was enlisted he not only got his GED but also an Associates Degree. He was determined to make something of himself and was soon sent to Korea. In Korea, he learned many life lessons that he would share with anyone who wanted to listen. Hunting was a big part of his life growing up and helped him to earn medals as a sharpshooter. He would say "First is God, Second is Family and Third is your country. If you have all these everything else will fall into place." After 3 years of the Army he came home to Kissimmee and began to work with his brother Paul on his shrimp boat. In the coming years he traveled across America visiting family, working odd jobs and finding himself. As a young man he worked as an auto mechanic, welder, truck driver, coal miner, fisherman, carpenter, and a brief stint as a biker. Up in the mountains of North California is where he and brother Eddie started a logging business. However, after a bad first marriage and desire for another adventure he went south to Los Angeles, Ca.
When he got to L.A. he started working as a maintenance supervisor little did he know his life would change once again. That is where he met the love for the rest of his life, Mary Lou. They met on her birthday March 26, 1969. After a steamy courtship they married in Reno Nv. on May 30, 1970. Eddie was his best man and stood next to him as a one armed man did the nuptials. The story went that no one ever got a divorce that was married by this man. George and Mary Lou were married for almost 49 years. They had 2 kids, Mary Elizabeth and George Dennis II. The little family lived in East L.A. near Mary Lou's sister Katie and her family. George loved his little Jesse like his own son and did the best he could to try to be a father figure to him. He beamed with pride when he spoke of Jesse going into the Army like his Uncle George.
Finding out his brother Bill's wife had passed away led George and family to another adventure. His brother Bill had 2 little kids, Drew and JoBeth and knew he'd need help to raise them. Within a few days he quit his job and took his wife and kids from the West Coast to the East Coast in a Bonneville. The first time George laid his eyes on little Drew, named after his grandfather, he became his other son. Brother Bill and Brother-in-law O.C., worked as stagehands in Miami. The day after driving cross country George began a new life as an apprentice in the I.A.T.S.E.(International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). As a jack of all trades, it was rather easy for him to learn several jobs and find his true passion for teaching young men the ropes of the business. He had been a carpenter, ran spotlights, loader, worked tear-outs, as a grip and a rigger. He was on countless stage productions, concerts, commercials, TV and Movies. Miami Vice was one of the highlights of his career. George along with his brothers and sisters on Vice contributed to winning both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Edward James Olmos. The IATSE was a huge part of the last 45 years of his life. They did the impossible through blood, sweat, tears, and created a family bond only to be broken by death. When George was not helping to make magic on screen or stage, he was outdoors. He hunted and fished whenever he got a chance with whoever wanted to come along. BBQ and Chili was synonymous with George Alvey and he enjoyed teaching others how to be a master of the grill. George had a unique way of teaching life lessons and would say it was good to be scared. Whether you won or failed it was an experience none the less. On one occasion he and his Best Friend Jerry decided to end his little girls fear of deep water by throwing M.E. in the middle of a canal in the Everglades. The 2 men, holding knives in their mouths like pirates, immediately jumped in after her. All the kids watching kept yelling,"You better swim M.E." With her daddy and his best friend by her side they swam from one end of the canal to the other until her fear was completely gone. His methods were NEVER text book but they were 100% George Alvey and most of the time they worked! Hunting, fishing, sports and martial arts were some of the things he loved to do. His whole life was rooting for the underdog and fighting for what was right, even if he was standing alone. People who met him for the first time would sometimes judge him. "Long-haired, dumbass, Ol' Country boy" is what he would refer to himself mocking those people who didn't want to get to know the real him. For those who saw beyond the rough exterior there was a treasure to be found. He lived a very humble life which included his old beat up cars and trucks. His friends would tease him, knowing he could've afforded better but he always had a story to them. He wore his hair long for most of his life and was looked down upon because of it. What people didn't know was that for the last 20+ years he and his granddaughter Katy, grew their hair long to have it cut and donated to the 'Locks of Love' (An organization that makes wigs for children with cancer). How many men do you know would do that for the love of a grandchild? Who by the way, never had cancer she just wanted to help those kids who did. His love for his family was definitely at the forefront of his existence and his reason for living. No one is/was loved and cherished more than his grandbabies.
Katy: will always be grandpa's "Babiest Girl". He would've moved mountains for that little girl.
Reece: will always be "His Boy". Grandpa's truest copy of himself in so many ways.
Ronnie: will always be grandpa's "Little Bill". a Reminder of all his brothers wrapped up into one.
George's hope was to pass on his love, gifts and knowledge to anyone who "wanted to learn something".
Through the years he was called many things. "One thousand year old man" (for all the lives he seemed to have lived), Daddy, Grandpa, Uncle George and Brother George. He also had nicknames for all he loved, silly sayings and words that will always be remembered.
After 80 years of living life to the fullest and pushing the envelope his health began to decline.
May 4, 2019
7am: M.E. moistened his mouth as his breathing began to change. She then put a little peppermint oil in his hair and on his sheets. (He loved the smell) Looking down at his dry hands she began to massage them. For the next 2 hour, as she was doing this, she spoke 5 things to him.
1- His family and friends will always remember him and the lessons he taught them.
2- His life had enormous meaning and he had created a great legacy.
3- His family and friends will be okay because he taught us to be strong and persevere.
4- All that happened was forgiven and forgotten. All but Love remained.
5- And with Him being the head of the family his biggest responsibility was going to be taken care of, even if it took a village to do so.
During the massage, the stories told and words spoken he began his transition. Without pain, suffering, fear, regrets or anger but with Love and Peace.
11:00am: George got to hear from his beloved grandsons, Reece and Ronnie. They told him how much they loved him, how they were never going to forget him or what he taught them and no matter what Grandpa will always have a special place in their hearts.
11:05am His nephew Jesse called immediately after. He told him of his love for him, how he'll always be someone he looked up to and thanked him for being a father figure to him. He shared that he will never be forgotten and will always love him.
11:07am His babiest girl called in and said "Hi grandpa it's me Katy. I love you!"
M.E. with her hand on his chest saw him take his last breath and felt his heart beat fade away.
George Alvey's final curtain call was May 4, 2019 at 11:07am.
He was a Special Soul who was blessed to have been able to hear from all those he had raised. His sons George, Drew, daughter M.E., Grandsons, Reece and Ronnie, his other son/nephew Jesse and of course his "Babiest Girl" Katy.
He was a diamond in the rough who became the Best Husband, Father, and Grandfather he could be.
We will forever love him and remember him throughout our lives.
"Never judge a person by his looks or where he lives or what he drives"
"Never hold a person's past against them. We all can learn from our mistakes."
"Everyone deserves to be shown love, be forgiven and be treated with kindness."
Many of his family members will always believe this to be true:
"George Alvey may have walked with humans but he helped hang the Universe!"
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to:
Calvary Free Will Baptist Church
8530 Stirling Road
Hollywood, Fl 33024
*In Memory of George Alvey*
A gathering of family and friends for George will be held
Monday, May 13, 2019 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church,
8530 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33024.
A celebration of life services will occur Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 10:00 AM
at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home,
3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461.
A committal service will occur Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 11:30 AM at
Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home,
3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461.
An entombment will occur Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM
at Lake Worth Memory Gardens,
3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, Florida 33461.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dorsey-smithmemorygardens.com for the Alvey family.
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