WYTHE, GEORGE W.
George William Wythe, 80, passed away Saturday, Sept 27, 2003, at Columbia Mainland Center Hospital, Texas City. A chapel service will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, in the Memorial Room of Broadway Funeral Home, Galveston, with the Rev. Richard Brand officiating. A gathering for visitation will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, also in the Memorial Room of Broadway Funeral Home. Mr. Wythe’s family will be receiving friends, both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Mr. Wythe was born on Galveston Island July 17, 1923, and has remained an island resident most all of his life. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Mr. Wythe’s family owned and operated a dairy located on the island at 2623 57th Street. It was during this early age that he learned to have working responsibilities. As he grew into his young teen years, he was taught the process of meat cutting by his uncle Guilford Gillis.
At the age of 17, Mr. Wythe joined the Marine Raiders where he found himself involved in WWII from 1942 to 1945. During his enlistment he participated in action against the enemies of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa He also participated in the Occupation of Japan and in the Consolidation of the Solomon Islands. At one point during his enlistment he became missing in action. During this period, while serving with a rifle company, Corporal Wythe displayed the highest qualities of coolness, initiative, reliability and efficiency in the performance of his duties. He served his country proudly through the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Raiders. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States’ Armed Forces.
In the early 1960s Mr. Wythe’s family owned and operated Wythe’s Grocery Store. A hard-working individual, Mr. Wythe worked in his family’s grocery business while, at the same time, he was employed for as many as 30 years with Menotti’s Grocery here in Galveston. He also was employed at the island’s K.C. Meat Market, and in more recent years, with Seven Seas Grocery located at San Luis Pass. Mr. Wythe had also, at one time, owned and operated his own grocery store, known as 20th Century Market, when he lived in Juneau, Alaska. He was a loving and caring individual who stood by, cared for and looked after all his family. Mr. Wythe enjoyed a good time, and perhaps one of the most favorite times in his life was traveling around the United States after leaving his second home of Alaska to move back closer to his island home and to be with his family. He was an avid golf player who enjoyed a good game whenever he could make time. Another enjoyment, and perhaps one of his most favorite, was fishing with his son-in-law, Fred. Many good fish stories were told from the two of them and wonderful memories were made by these fishing trips.
He will be sadly missed by those that knew him and loved him and his memories will live on in their hearts forever.
Historically, Mr. Wythe is a direct descendent of Congressman George William Wythe who was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. He is also preceded in death by his former wife and mother of his children Donna Maudene Wythe; his father Clem T. Wythe; mother Vide Wythe Summerlin; one of his sons, George Michael Wythe; his sister Ameda Wythe and also his brothers, Clem Theodore Wythe, Jr., Roy Tinkle, Glendon Kelly and Bobby Kelly.
He leaves behind many fond memories with his loving family, his daughter, Bobbye Jo Bares Zaleski and husband, Fred, Jr., of Texas City, Texas; and his son, Garry William Wythe, Sr. and wife, Sherry, of Hitchcock, Texas. Sharing in his loss, also, are Mr. Wythe’s grandchildren, Margaret Anne Bares, Jackie Bares Costilow and husband, David, Raymond Bares, Jr., Larry Zaleski and wife, Michelle, Freddie Zaleski, Jr., Garry Wythe, Jr., Derik Wythe and Tammy Lynn Wythe; and also his great-children, Cydnee Zaleski, Coltin Zaleski, Dustin Glenn, Nikki Glenn, C.J. Austin and husband, David, Lee Hodges Costilow, Ethan Gregg and Blake Wythe. Also saddened by his passing are Mr. Wythe’s brothers, Burn Tinkle, of Santa Fe, Texas, Gerald Wythe and wife, Linda, of Houston, Texas, Roy Delton Kelly and wife, Sonya, his sister-in-law, Ann Kelly, numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, a host of other loving family and many friends, most especially his devoted fur friends, “Juneau,” “Milk Shake,” “Pooh,” “Winnie” and “Tigger.”
Honorary pallbearers will be Garry William Wythe, Sr., Garry William Wythe, Jr., Fred Zaleski, Sr., Freddie Zaleski, Jr., Larry Zaleski, Raymond Wayne Bares, Dustin Glenn and Chris Crawford.