Palamittathu Varkey George

PV (Palamittathu Varkey) George was born on June 16, 1944 to PC and Shoshamma in Kerala, India. He grew up with his older brother, PV Chandy and younger sister, Aleyamma Matthew.

He was affectionately known as Georgekutty by a large community of friends, and loved ones in addition to his family. PV was raised to be involved in the church and community at a young age. He would always carry this faith and fellowship throughout his life.

A Pioneer & Provider

At the young age of 23,he boldly landed in Los Angeles after seeing an advertisement in the paper for studying in America. With no family or friends to help him, he set forward to chase his very own American Dream of building something better as a first generation immigrant with many more family members to follow in his wake. Coming from Kerala, India, he carried his faith and sense of community and this would be a recurring theme in his life.

In 1967, he started his studies in Psychology at Azusa Pacific University. Followed by a prosperous sales career at Montgomery Ward that took him to Dallas and built a foundation for his family there.

In 1993, he moved his family to Phoenix, Arizona and lived in the Chandler area for 27 years until they returned to Dallas in 2020.

In Arizona, he transitioned his sales career into real estate and became well known as Paradise Valley George in the community.

In the 60’s, 70’s, PV was often the first Malayalee in Dallas, then Arizona, and helped to build the Malayalee community and fellowship during this time.

A Family Man

At the age of 30, PV and Saramma George married in Houston, Texas and moved to Dallas. In Dallas, they were blessed with their son, Joshua George.

PV lovingly called Saramma “penne” which means “my girl” and kept that energy throughout their relationship. If you saw them, you know how doting and proud he was of her and always put Saramma and Joshua first. Joshua being his only son, PV took great care in raising him to be faithful, family oriented and focused to be a great man and leader.

Josh is a testament to PV’s lovable and joyful character and the life-of-the-party streak we all loved. Like father, like son. In Josh, he also instilled the love for family and they both lived and breathed this every day. For many years, PV was very active in hiking and exercise. He would drag his family and friends on various mountain hikes in Arizona. He believed in being healthy and sharing that with the people he loved.

A Faithful Servant

PV’s commitment to the church was always front and center for him. He served as VP in both churches and taught Sunday school. He believed in mentoring and giving back to the community to bring everyone together and build a Malayalee presence in the respective cities.

He was one of the first Malayalees in the Dallas Marthoma Church and then he replicated that when he got to Arizona by finding Malayalee names in the phone book and made calls to bring people together to worship.

This grass root effort led to prayer meetings in homes, monthly church services in rented facilities, and now a congregation with their very own church in 2022.

A Proud Legacy

PV never met a stranger and everyone he met, he treated them as family. People gravitated towards him because of his warmth, selflessness, and willingness to help.

PV believed in family, faith and most of all building a community. Over the years, he has touched so many lives through church, mediation, and helping his wife’s family members to follow their own American Dreams and get started in this new country.

His main wish was to see Joshua settled and he got to meet Toshmy and hold his baby granddaughter, Gigi. He always wished for girls and God made sure to bless him with the girls he always wanted.

PV George is survived by his wife of 49 years, Saramma George, his son, Joshua George, his daughter-in-law, Toshmy George, his granddaughter Gigi, his brother PV Chandy and family, and his sister, Aleyamma Mathew and family. He was a big presence in our lives and will be dearly missed by everyone.

We have enjoyed many memories together that will never be forgotten and he will be deeply missed. All who knew him will continue to be inspired by his courage, generosity, good humor, boldness, and strength. PV George will be remembered by these three words, faith, family and fellowship.