George Younce - Funeral Celebration, Feature ArticlesTribute

Apr

2005

George Younce - Funeral Celebration

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February 22, 1930 - April 11, 2005

George Younce, a two-time Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductee and founding member of the Cathedral Quartet was honored in style with a homegoing celebration Tuesday, April 20, 2005 at Akron Baptist Temple in Akron, Ohio. George made his last public appearance September 18 at a Gaither Homecoming concert where he sang "Suppertime." George and his wife Clara would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary April 27. He was survived by his wife, Clara; a son, George Lane of Powder Springs, Ga.; daughters, Gina Eroskey, Lisa Haase and Tara Aidala, all of Stow, OH; and Dana Willis of Powder Springs, GA; three grandchildren; and a brother.

In front of the church Tuesday morning stood the casket carrying George Younce surrounded by hundreds of flowers. Standing next to the casket was a portrait of George and a stand holding his famous cowboy boots.

The homegoing celebration began with a welcome from Dr. Arnold Fleagle, followed by Jeff Easter on the harmonica playing "Amazing Grace," at which time the Homecoming Choir joined in singing with Bill Gaither leading those in attendance. The Homecoming Choir included but was not limited to: Anthony Burger, Jason Waldroup, Russ Taft, Jessy Dixon, Ben Speer, Roy Tremble, Jimmy Jones, Jonathan Martin, Amy Lambert, Connie Hopper, Kim Hopper, Sonya Isaacs, Rodney Griffin, Gerald Wolfe, Mike Allen, Sue Dodge, Guy Penrod, David Phelps, Marshall Hall, Wesley Pritchard, Scott Fowler, Allsion Durham Speer, Calvin Newton, Mary Tom Speer, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Qt and others.

Bill Gaither also led the Choir and the congregation in the following songs, "I'll Meet You In The Morning," "Canaan Land Is Just In Sight," and "What A Meeting (in the air)."

The Gaither Vocal Band performed "I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary," followed once again by the The Homecoming Choir with "Suppertime." Ben Speer sang the lead and Jimmy Jones spoke the recitation.

Other musical performances included Jessy Dixon on "I Wonder What They're Doing There Now" and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Quartet on "Oh, What A Savior."

Rev. Phil Hoskings offered a prayer and spoke a few minutes about George.

A wonderful video presentation (10 mins) of some of George's great moments singing and telling jokes was presented.

Gloria Gaither commented on George describing him as timeless full of Laughter, Love of People, and Love of Music.

Bill Gaither spoke much about what a "giver" George was, comparing him to Barnabas as the master encourager. He told about George being an "Old Friend" to him, and how George would buy him new shoes and mail him new tennis shoes in the mail.

George's pastor expounded on his generosity, and his unselfishness!

The service ended with "Because He Lives." As the pallbearers carried the casket down the aisle, the choir sang, "Oh Come, Angel Band" and George was followed by his family members, and many dear friends.

Reader Comments

Thank you for posting this article. For those of us who would have liked to have attended but could not, your detailed accounting means so much. I was fortunate to be in Memphis on Friday night for a Gaither Homecoming concert. Bill reserved about 10 or 15 minutes in the final segment for a tribute to George. I was also pleased that Ernie and SS were in attendance in Memphis and, I assume, Indy on Sat. Without question, that is precisely what his father-in-law would have wanted him to do.

Commented by On 04/21/2005

I just wanted to say that I never meet George personaly, but I feel like i have knowed him all my life. And i know i will see him in heaven one day. He has gone home to be with our precious Saviour. They said on the radio that "George has lost the battle". All i could say was no He has WON the battle. He spreaded the gospel with his songs, touched many with his smile & kindness. He will be missed dearly, but we have special memories and no he has a brand new body. and shouting and singing all over heaven. My prayers are with everone. Lets keep his memory alive. it warms my heart to know that he is with Jesus and his dear friend Glenn. (picking on him lol) Here is too you George! You One The Battle!!!!

Commented by On 04/21/2005

Mr. Younce touched my heart countless times. His passing will leave a void that never will be Filled. What a Homecomming he had to have had.

Commented by On 04/23/2005

I so appreciate George Younce and what he contributed to Southern Gospel. I wish I could have met him in person while here on earth. He seemed to be so full of life. I am overjoyed to know that he will be among those I get to meet in Heaven. I can only imagine what he's doing right now at the feet of our Savior.

Commented by On 04/24/2005

I LOVED GEORGE!!!!!! I KNOW HE IS SINGING WITH-----JAKE,VESTAL,GLENN AND SO MANY OTHERS-----HEAVEN IS HAPPY TODAY WITH ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL SONGS!!!

Commented by On 04/26/2005

George Younce was the best bass singer southern gospel music has ever had. I am 14 years old and I grew up listening to the cathedrals. I still think they are one of the best quartets. George Younce will be greatly missed.

Commented by On 04/26/2005

We have seen George many times in Dayton, Oh. sence 1968. We have never had a bad concert with the Cathedrals. We love George Younce and we will miss him. I had to call my son in Mozambique, Africa and tell him, because George was his singer.

Commented by Norma Hawke On 04/26/2005

I became a fan of the Cathedrals long after Glen Payne had passed, but I loved to watch George on the Gaither shows by himself, with the Old Friends Quartet, and of course, with the Cathedrals.
One of my favorite moments with George was during Memphis Homecoming, during one of Mark Lowry's comedy bits he said that George had retired from the Cathedrals and put together his own group, George Younce & the Quackers. George (along with Ben Speer, Guy Penrod, and Jake Hess) came down on stage and quacked out a verse and chorus of "Give The World A Smile"!
I can't wait until someday when I get to sing with George, Glen, and all my other gospel music heroes that have gone home!

Commented by On 04/26/2005

sorry hear about George i love him he was great singing

Commented by On 04/26/2005

I FIRST MET GEORGE IN WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN HE WAS SINGING WITH THE BLUE RIDGE QUARTET, GEORGE MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON ME WITH HIS LOVE FOR PEOPLE AND HIS LOVE FOR THE LORD. THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM WITH THE CATHEDRALS HE WAS THE SAME GOD LOVING MAN I REMEMBERED BEFORE,

Commented by On 04/30/2005

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