Roper Funeral Home and Crematory 206 Holly St Jasper, GA 30143 (706) 253-7500 (706) 253-0040 www.roperfuneralhome.com George Utiss Jr., age 72, of Talking Rock, Georgia passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. He was born July 15, 1949 to George and Juanita Williams Utiss in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. George lived in Jesup, Georgia from 1954 until 1964 and attended Wayne County Schools. He then moved to Brunswick where he lived until 1986. He married Deborah Smith April 24, 1970 in Brunswick, Georgia. He was a charter member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Jesup, Georgia; former member of College Place United Methodist Church and Taylor's United Methodist Church in Brunswick; a 1967 graduate of Glynn Academy; attended Brunswick Jr. College; and received his Georgia Funeral Director's License in August of 1973. He worked for Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home until 1986 and then returned to Jesup to work at Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home until retirement. He was a charter member of Epworth United Methodist Church and attended there until 2009. He was a member of Ocean Lodge #214 F&AM from 1975 until 1986; Jesup Lodge #112 F&AM in Jesup until 2010 and then Pickens Star Lodge #220 F&AM. He was a former member of Marshes of Glynn Chapter Order of the Eastern Star 243 in Brunswick; Member and Past Worthy Patron of Ben Gibbs Chapter #299 in Jesup and current member of Marble Hill Chapter #448 in Pickens County, Georgia. George was a past member of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association. George and his wife, Deborah, were very involved in the Classic Car Scene in the area and together they attended many local and national car shows. Together they wrote articles for several shows and the National Street Rod Associations Magazine, "Street Scene," and was a member of NSRA. He was a long-time member and former officer of South Georgia Street Rods in Waycross, was founding member of the Altamaha Classic Cruisers in Wayne County. He retired in 2009 and moved to Talking Rock, Georgia in Pickens County and was a member of Jasper United Methodist Church. George is survived by his wife, Deborah Smith Utiss of Talking Rock; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita Williams and George Utiss Sr. The family will be receiving friends at Roper Funeral Home Friday, October 8, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 10, 2021 at the Jesup City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Masonic Children's Home, Methodist Children's Home, or th Baptist Children's Home. Arrangements are entrusted to the Staff of Roper Funeral Home and Crematory.