Obituary of George A. Flowers

George Arthur Flowers, Jr., 84, of Flowers Drive, Boone, died Tuesday January 15, 2008 at Watauga Medical Center. Born August 13, 1923 in Catawba County, he was a son of George and Mildred Parlier Flowers. He was a member of the Boone United Methodist Church. In 1939 George was a Radio Announcer at WHKY in Hickory until joining the US Navy in 1942. He served on the Mine Sweeper USS Sentinel, AM-113 until it was sunk during the Invasion of Sicily. He was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received during that battle. He was treated at the New York Naval Hospital, then transferred to the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC. On June 20, 1944 he met Millie Thompson who worked in the Admiral's Office at Charleston Navy Yard. They were married Sept. 20, 1944 at the naval base chapel. They returned to Hickory and WHKY where George gathered news for United Press International. Later they moved to Shelby where he helped complete building Radio Station WOHS. Soon after he transferred to Waynesville to build Radio Station WHCC. Following two years he and Millie moved to Culpeper, VA to build their own Radio Station WCVA. George did play by play broadcasting of high school and college baseball and football from 1947 until 1957. After selling the station, he and Millie returned to Hickory where he continued to work for UPI. In 1977 he purchased Flowers Photo Shop before establishing Flowers Photography . He presented some 4 million negatives and prints to the Boone Chamber of Commerce for the people of the county. His news and studio negatives documented area history from 1957 to 2004 and are available to local people and area businesses. Many of his photos were also published around the world. George helped organize the Watauga County Rescue Squad in 1962 and served as an active member until 2001. In 1965 he and other Shriners organized the Appalachian Shrine Club. He served as President of the Club in 1967, then Secretary and Treasurer for 23 years. He also served as the Shriners Hospital Coordinator for 20 years. Mr. Flowers is survived by: his wife, Millie Thompson Flowers; one son, George Arthur Flowers III and wife Beth of Raleigh; two daughters, Cecile Flowers Rbeihat of Raleigh and Patricia Flowers Wright and husband Steve of Mt. Pleasant, SC; three granddaughters, Erin and Megan Dorety and Amanda Massie and husband Travis; and two grandsons, Trae Wright and Ian Flowers; and his sister-in-law, Mildred Flowers of Hickory. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 3 PM at Boone United Methodist Church, officiated by Dr. George Naff and Dr. Rev. George Thompson. Entombment will follow at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital, PO Box 560666, Charlotte, NC 28256, or to the Boone United Methodist Church Building Fund, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, NC 28607. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8 o'clock at Austin & Barnes. The family will ALSO receive friends at Boone United Methodist Church on Friday from 2:00 until 3:00 PM - one hour prior to services. Online condolences may be made to the Flowers family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.