George Wesley Basnett Sr.

He was survived by his sweetheart and wife of fifty-three years, Judith Jennette Basnett. His son, George Wesley Basnett Jr & wife Virginia Basnett. Their children, Judith Callie-Ann Basnett and George Wesley Basnett III of Aydlett, North Carolina. Christina Basnett McElveen & husband Michael Ray McElveen. Their Daughter Megan Faith McElveen and sons Christian Bryce McElveen and Michael Wesley McElveen of Weddington, North Carolina. Rebekah Basnett Baldree & husband G. Howard Baldree Jr. with their children Gary Howard Baldree III, Thomas Luke Baldree, and Samuel Taylor Baldree all of Havelock, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his father, David Raymond Basnett Sr. and his mother, Grace Violet Williams Basnett, as well as his sisters, Connie Fox and Maleta Gray. He remains loved by his surviving sisters, Eula Stowe, Darlene Ward, and Charlene Perkins, as well as many nephews, nieces, friends, and colleagues.

George left his home on Hatteras Island in 1966 and proudly served 10 years in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Among his many accomplishments, he received a Bronze Star with a ‘V’ Device for Valor during combat. He later went on to become a Special Forces Green Beret assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Ft. Devens, Massachusetts. He transitioned from active duty with the U.S. Army to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves where in 2003 he would earn his retirement. During his time of service, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Dare County Sheriff’s Department where he served his community until 1979. He then left Dare County to further pursue his career in law enforcement. George worked for the State of North Carolina with the NC Department of Alcohol Law Enforcement for twenty years, where he then retired as a District 3 Special Agent in Charge out of New Bern, North Carolina. George and Judy returned home to Dare County in 1999, where he continued to serve his community working with the North Carolina Ferry System under The Homeland Security Division.

George (Daddy) loved God, his family, his island, and telling his many stories. He taught his family to love Jesus, choose right, support others, and fish with a vengeance. One of his great gifts in life was to instruct others and teach. He has taught his children and grandchildren the joy and excitement to be found in God’s creations and our family’s heritage on Hatteras Island. Dad will be missed greatly but his family is excited that he is abundantly happy as he has entered Jesus’ loving care. He would want us all to live by one of his favorite Bible verses, Psalm 91.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of George Wesley Basnett.