George Smedley Obituary

George August Smedley Jr., a cherished son, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, at the age of 97. He was born on November 23, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spent his life embodying the values of hard work, family, and community.
A Master Mechanic by trade, George dedicated many years of his career to the automotive industry, working on semi-trucks and on Thermo King refrigeration primarily for Thomas Foods/Sysco, where he honed his skills and earned the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Beyond his professional achievements, George was a devoted family man. He is survived by his loving children: son George (Karen) Smedley III, daughter Nancy (Ted) Schickner, and son Jeffery (Mary) Smedley; as well as his beloved grandchildren, including Dr. Eric (Jessica) Smedley, Adrienne (Jim) Smedley, Christopher Smedley, Holly Schickner, Ted Schickner Jr., and Angelina Smedley, along with great-grandchildren Connor Schickner and Ella Smedley; and grand fur baby, Isabella.
George was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise Smedley, and parents, George Smedley Sr. and Lillian Smedley, and sister, Esther (John) Beckstedt.
George's passions extended beyond mechanics. He was an avid bowler and participated in several leagues with his beloved wife. After retiring from Sysco, he contributed his time and enthusiasm to his community by working at the front desk of Colerain Bowl. He also enjoyed boating and water skiing, creating cherished memories with his family. A sports lover at heart, he invested his time coaching his son's baseball teams, sharing his love for the game and serving as a positive role model.
A pillar of his faith community, George served as the Sunday School Superintendent at Northside United Methodist Church and taught Jr./Sr. High Sunday School until its closure and remained an active member of the West Chester Presbyterian Church. In the later years of his life, he found comfort and companionship through the care of his devoted daughter Nancy and grandson, Teddy Jr. Along with Nancy, Teddy Jr., son-in-law Ted and great-grandson Connor, George would ride/race his electric scooter through various parks in the Cincinnati area. He was a member of the Masons for over 75 years, reaching the rank of Master.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 29th, 2025 from 10:00-11:00am at the Arlington Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 2155 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231 (Follow the BLUE line). A memorial service will follow at 11:00am. Inurnment will take place at 12:00pm at the Arlington Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions in honor of George can be made to the West Chester Presbyterian Church at 8930 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, West Chester, OH 45069.
George will be remembered not only for his skills and accomplishments but also for his warmth, kindness, faith, and unwavering love for his family.