James Preston George

James “Jim” Preston George of Smithfield died peacefully in his sleep on January 24, 2026. Jim was born in Johnston County on December 27, 1939, to the late Frank Hobart and Josephine Barefoot George of Johnston County and was raised in Johnston County.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Winstead George and his daughter Susan George James and son-in-law Donaldson James of Durham and grandsons Harry and Walker James, as well as his wife’s son, Allen Proctor of Wilson, NC, and too many cousins that he could not name.

He enjoyed restoring his family homestead, working in the yard, loved his family, pets, enjoyed traveling, reading newspapers, listening to WCPE, watching talking heads on cable tv, and cussing politicians of all sorts and stripes.

He was proud to assist Wake Forest University business students’ entrepreneurial endeavors, Tuscarora Council Eagle Scouts’ national camping initiative, Johnston County towns and its citizens’ efforts in continuing beautification of their communities, and his First Baptist Church members with their hometown college expenses.

He believed in term limits for executive and legislative members at ALL government levels, Right to Work laws, a new United States Constitution II, always questioning the doctrines of past centuries and present-day beliefs which are accepted as facts, and much more!

He was an Eagle Scout, proud Wake Forest University graduate, served his country as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, was honored as the Jaycee of the Year in Smithfield, went into business of “hard knocks” in Goldsboro, and then on to failures in other endeavors. He received Triangle J Council Government Award by the Smithfield Appearance Commission.

He realized the welcome mat was always out for him at medical and attorneys’ offices. “If I had to live my life again, one thing that I would try to do would be to listen more and talk less and to learn from my mistakes. I would do a LOT of things different!”

He wishes to make public acknowledgement of his regrets for slights, remarks, and behavior to acquaintances, friends, past employees, classmates, neighbors, any relatives of all stripes and to unsigned newspaper editorials. He hopes they will accept his heartfelt sincerity in apologizing for speech and behavior that was slightly OFF from the normal pattern.

He cordially invites classmates of ’58 and ’62, acquaintances, friends, neighbors, and relatives to join family for fellowship and remarks on Saturday, January 31 at 1pm at Parrish Funeral Home at 1351 South Pollock St, Selma. Loose apparel and morals are welcome. No conflicting ideologies, Triangle university fanatics, or dope wanted; this is just a good old wine-sipping, exorcising occasion. Please limit remarks to 10,000 words or less.

In lieu of dead flowers, he would like memorials of perennial flowers, shrubbery, or trees in Sunset Memorial Park to continue to liven things up or simply pen a poem. Contributions can also be made to Community and Senior Services of Johnston County Nutrition Program, 606 Caswell Street, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Send poems to my grandsons or to the Library of Congress.

Caviling, condolences, and memories may be offered to www.parrishfh.com.

GOODBYE and FAREWELL!

Written by the deceased.