George Harman Bargeron

George Harman Bargeron (98) of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away in Athens, Georgia, on May 26, 2023. He was the second of five children born to Lionel Malcolm Bargeron and Julia Charlton Harman Bargeron. George was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie Tyler Bargeron, and his siblings Lionel Malcolm Bargeron, Jr., Ellen (Nell) Bargeron Scott, and Thomas Clayton Bargeron II, all of Birmingham, AL. He is survived by his brother Charlton Bargeron (Bette Anne), also of Birmingham, and his three children Clayton Hargrave Bargeron (Teresa), Dorothy Bargeron O’Niell (Walter), Tyler Bargeron Huddle (Tom), his granddaughter Lia Faith Bargeron, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Born in Savannah, GA, George moved with his family to Birmingham at an early age. Upon graduation from Ramsay High School in 1943, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 305th Bombardment Group, which flew from Chelveston, U.K. He served as a Radio Operator and Gunner on a B-17 flying missions over Germany. At the end of the war, he was part of the U.S. occupying forces in Germany and Belgium before being transferred to Roberts Field, Liberia, to participate in aerial photographic mapping of Africa.

After an honorable discharge from the Air Force in 1946, George earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. He worked with his father Lionel Bargeron, General Agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, until being recalled to the Air Force during the Korean War as a Second Lieutenant stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. He received an honorable discharge in 1952.

George returned to Birmingham and Penn Mutual, eventually taking over as General Agent upon his father’s retirement. He was a longtime member of the Birmingham Country Club and an avid golfer. He enjoyed travel with family and friends, and maintained a lifetime attachment to the beaches of the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast. Even in later years, he and Margie frequently returned to the Gulf, bringing along their beloved pets, and creating countless memories with their family. The island and people of Eleuthera, Bahamas, also held a very special and lasting place in their hearts.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the love and friendship of the caregivers that George was fortunate to have in his later years in Birmingham and Athens.

A memorial service for family members will be held in Birmingham at a time to be announced. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to The Cahaba River Society (2717 7th Ave S, Suite 205, Birmingham, AL 35233); or to The Remy Fund for Pets and Animal Services at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (2100 First Ave N, Suite 700, Birmingham, AL 35203).