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.
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 04/20/2005
| 
Category: Feature ArticlesTributes
Comments: 22
RSS Feed
| (What's an RSS feed?)
|
Ads Sponsored by Southern Spin
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.
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!!!!
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.
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.
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!!!
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.
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.
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.
sorry hear about George i love him he was great singing
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,
I remember "George Youncey and the Quackers" with a big smile. It was so cute. I'm happy for that special memory. George & Jake have gone home now so maybe they are "quacking it up for God". Mark Lowry can pull off just about anything in very good taste.
George will certainly be missed. Thank goodness for videos so we can still him and so many others that have gone on before..over and over again.
May God rest George's soul in the Heaven of Rest. In remember George mostly for that beautiful poem he did - "must you go on and I remain?" WOW! Praise God, that was such a beautiful poem and I always suppose this was made to remember his dear friend Glenn. I listened this poem several times, and each time it never fail to blessed me. Now, George is gone but "Oh, what a Sunrise it will be" when He meets His dear Savior... the Sweet Savior that George sings about almost of his life.
Found George Younce and Glen Payne in the early 60's. The original Cathedral Quartet was the very best but they just got better and better. Sure do miss both of these wonderful men of God.
I am sorry to hear of the passing of George Younce. I enjoyed watching the Cathedrals and
Eventhough I never cared much for Ernie I never blamed George for it. George was the Icon of Bass Singing and he will be sorely missed !
George has blessed my heart so many times. I am not good with words but George was the best.
Hi,this is Ethan im 17 and i live in Haskell,OK.I just wanted to say I never got the chance to meet George,but since the first time I heard his wonderful voice it touched me deeply.I can only imagine what it most have felt like to lose such a brilliant and wonderful man.Just by watching him sing I can collect that he was a wonderful Dad and great Husband and a friend to everyone he meet.I wish I would have got a chance to shake his hand and tell him thanks for sharing the passion of the Lord through music. I will always remember him when I hear a bass singer in a gospel band.Thanks George Sincerly,Ethan Mulkey
I still think they are one of the best quartets. George Younce will be greatly missed.
George Younce was not only the greatest bass singer God ever loaned us, he was an inspiration to this ol' boy. I first listened to an 8-track of the Cat's in the early 1970's and loved them. In the 1990's, it was George and Glen who through their music helped strengthen me at a time in my life when I was letting work be more important to me than church and family. But those two old men through their fervent dedication and touching music and testimonies showed me that I needed God and family more than I needed a career.
i miss him
I have just started singing barbershop and love it. If I had not started singing, I would not have heard of George Younce and Old Friends. Thank to George and his friends, for the inspiration you give me to be a singer and a christian. Regards Reg
Page 1 of 1 Comment Pages
