George McCormick

George Edward McCormick, age 95, ended his life journey on January 10, 2024, at Brookdale Carriage Club, Charlotte, NC, and joined the memories of his antecedents, friends, and ancestors – some notable, some not so. He was born January 14, 1928, in Columbus, OH, a son of the late Ina Lucas McCormick and George Ficklin McCormick of Columbus, OH.

His wife and companion, Virginia Huntley Travis of Charlotte, survives him. Carolyn Bibler McCormick, of Charlotte, NC, his wife, companion, and friend during the 58 years of their marriage predeceased him, as did his brother, Richard Coy McCormick of Flushing, MI, and his son, George T. McCormick of Leesburg, FL.

His sister, Marjorie McCormick Domitz (Stan), resides in Rocky Ridge, OH. Other survivors include daughters Paula McCormick Woodward (Richard) of Tallahassee, FL, and Debra McCormick Blatt (Lawrence) of Chehalis, WA; step-children Joseph Travis (Stephanie) of Charlotte, NC, Mary Travis-Ross (Michael) Ross of Oakland, CA, and Jennifer Travis Sattler (Jim) of Beaufort, SC. His grandchildren include Jessica Ballard Jacumin (Josh), Evans, GA, Heather Ballard Elliott (Chris), Mint Hill, NC, Michelle Ballard Gianaris (Brandon), Indian Land, SC, Matthew Wesley Ballard (Katie), Fort Mill, SC, Meghan Blatt Letter (Kevin), Bellevue, WA, Caitlyn Blatt, Vancouver, WA, Paul Woodward (Julia), Tallahassee, FL, and Sara Woodward Jakab (Brad), Tallahassee, FL. Step-grandchildren include Hannah Travis, Banner Elk, NC, Marshall Travis, Charlotte, NC, and Sarah Sattler Angel (Paul), Beaufort, SC. His great-grandchildren included James Dawson, Justin, and Jonathan Jacumin, Asher and Ethan Elliott, Genevieve Gianaris, Austin and Coltin Ballard and John and Mark Woodward. His step-great-grandchildren include Nathan, Paul, Benjamin, Elijah, and Bruno Angel-Sattler.

George, a 1946 graduate of North High School, Columbus, OH, served in the Army Air Corp. with tours in the US and Pacific Theaters, and was discharged in 1947. He then attended college and was awarded his Bachelor of Industrial Engineering degree from the Ohio State University in 1952.

Professionalism was a major focus in his life-long Industrial Engineering career with various manufacturing organizations including the National Carbon Company, the Kemet Corporation, H. B. Maynard and Company Consultants, and the Pelton and Crane Company. In 1972 he created his own engineering consulting firm, Tihson Sey Ltd. His company provided recommendations and installed improvements for 40 manufacturing firms both domestic and international. He achieved the “Precious Pearl” award for his aerospace manufacturing achievements.

George held many offices and presided over local chapters of several professional engineering societies including the Institute of Industrial Engineers and the American Production and Inventory Control Society. He was also active in the NC Professional Engineers, the Charlotte Engineers Club, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the American Quality Control Society, and the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Youth leadership and guidance was also a focus. While a Deacon he and Carolyn guided and advised their church’s youth group. George also helped organize and advise Junior Achievement companies, helped direct his neighborhood youth athletic programs, created and presided over a girls’ softball league, and was a Boy Scout Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster. He was the Charter Organization Representative for his Boy Scout troop.

An avid square dancer, George, along with Carolyn, vigorously promoted square dancing, served the Swinging Saints square dance club in various offices, planned square dance classes and was responsible for the recruitment of new square dancers. They square danced at 18 national conventions between 1984 and 2008, volunteering as hosts at two of them.

George, along with Carolyn, accepted resident consultant assignments to volunteer in the modernization of several manufacturing firms in Tiblisi, Sagarejo, and Kataisi, Republic of Georgia, as well as Moscow.

George’s interests included Hospice and hospital volunteerism, photography, domestic and foreign travel, watercolor painting, the study of technology history, touring Civil War sites, Boy Scouts, early SC Low Country chapels, and volunteering at Blumenthal.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, January 15, 2024, in the chapel at McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC. Interment will be held following the service at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice at Via Health Partners, Charlotte, NC at https://www.viagiving.org/donating