Our city is quieter. George William Crone Jr. passed away on February 23, 2019, at his home of 57 years in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born September 4, 1932, in Goldsboro, NC to George W. Crone and Hazel Omega Grady Crone.
His family moved to Winston-Salem in 1941. He graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School where he was a member of the varsity swim and varsity football teams. During this time, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was elected captain of the swim team at Davidson College where he graduated in 1954.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he received his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his career as a self-proclaimed “empty box salesman” for Mengel Box Company that later became Container Corporation of America.
He courted Dorothy Rice Allen during high school and college, married her in 1957 and together they lived a fulfilling life rearing their three daughters and traveling to remote fishing locations from the Caribbean to the Alaskan wilderness for 47 blissful years.
George is survived by his three daughters: Anna Montgomerie (Jeff), Molly Dewey (David), and Betsy Crone; five grandchildren: Liza Dewey Odell (Rob), Cole Dewey (Kristina Vongkaysone, fiancée), Will Dewey, Quinn Montgomerie and Emma Montgomerie; first cousin, James Arthur Cavenaugh, Jr.; and dear friends and caregivers.
He was a lifelong member and active participant of Centenary United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He was a 30-year member of Long Hope Fishing Club. George was an avid sportsman. He considered one of the blessings of his life that he was retired for more years than he worked. His priority became sharing his lifetime passions with his family and friends: to have a place to play golf, a place to quail hunt, and a place to trout fish Mission Accomplished!
For six decades, he adored his bird dogs: Old Bob, Bob, Jake, Mitch, Hank, Paddy, Lizzie, Belle, Boone, Maggie, Pancake, Biscuit, Sadie, and Puddin’, who died earlier this month.
Because of his incredible gift for spinning a yarn, many were fortunate to laugh heartily with him, spellbound, as he relived his experiences over and over and over. His most memorable gift, however, is the privilege of having shared his adventurous life story.
A celebration of life will be Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 4:00 at Centenary United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following in the auditorium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Loaves and Fishes, 646 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or the Salvation Army of Winston-Salem, Post Office Box 1205, Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1205.
Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.