George Willard Geren

George Willard Geren, of Georgetown, Tennessee passed away peacefully at home on October 15, 2026, at the age of 81. He was born on May 19, 1945 in Bend, Oregon to Albert and Nina Geren.

George will be remembered for his love of God, his quiet strength, and his unwavering devotion to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was his grandchildren's biggest fan and a constant supporter in all their activities.

George spent many years coaching his daughters' softball teams and enjoyed long- distance cycling, training each year for bike marathons.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Sharon Matthews Geren; their daughters, Gina Geren Miller (Dr. Ivo Aaron Miller) and Emily Geren McCulley (Jim Olmeda); grandchildren, Hailey Miller Beiden (Ryan Beiden), Hunter Miller, William McCulley, and Alice McCulley; sister, Joyce Calfee (Carl Calfee); sister- and brother-in-law, Bunny and Junior Farmer; brother-in-law, Larry Dunn; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Nina Geren; his brother, Vernon Geren; his father- and mother-in-law, Roy and Imogene Matthews; sister-in-law, Carolyn Matthews Dunn; and his nephew, Chris Geren.

George was a member of Eastview Baptist Church for 59 years, where he served faithfully as a deacon and trustee. A graduate of Bradley Central High School and Tennessee Wesleyan University, George dedicated his career to Research and Development at Olin Chemicals until his retirement in 2001.

George was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1972 aboard the USS Independence during the Vietnam War.

The life of George Geren cannot be celebrated without recognizing the incredible second chance at life he received through a heart transplant in February 2005. In the years that followed, George and Sharon devoted countless hours to volunteering with Donate Life Chattanooga, helping educate others about the importance of organ donation and the extraordinary gift of life it can provide.

George's family will forever be grateful to Joshua Spivey and his family, whose selfless decision to donate Joshua's heart gave George 21 additional years of life. Those years were a gift George never took for granted. He cherished each and every day he was given and carried a deep gratitude for Joshua and his family throughout his life.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Thursday, October 22, at Companion Funeral Home in the Ridge Sanctuary, located at 2412 Georgetown Road NW in Cleveland TN.

In keeping with George's wishes, there will not be a formal funeral service. As he often told his wife, Sharon, people should "preach their own funeral every day by the life they live." George spent his life doing just that, and his family can think of no better way to honor his wishes.

At the conclusion of visitation, George will be laid to rest at Eastview Baptist Church, located at 2083 NoPone Road NW, in Georgetown TN. All who wish to attend the graveside service are welcome. Chaplain Adam Jones will officiate George's graveside celebration of life, with Tony Moore providing music. Ivo Aaron Miller, Jim Olmeda, Hunter Miller, Will McCulley, Ryan Beiden, David Allen, and Jared Allen will serve as pallbearers.

The Geren family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Adoration Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to George and to the kindness they showed his family during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in George's memory to:

Donate Life Tennessee

566 Mainstream Drive, Ste 300

Nashville,TN 37228

Or

Eastview Baptist Church Cemetery Fund

1643 NoPone Road NW

Georgetown, TN 37421

You are invited to share a personal memory of George or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Geren family with these arrangements.