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Clinton Leander George Dies at 73

Clinton Leander George

Clinton Leander George passed away on April 19 at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Fla., at 73 years old.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Alphonso George and Una George; brothers: Milton George and Carl George; aunts: Cassilda Berry and Eunice Niles; uncles: Louis Niles, Maglin Niles, Magnus Mongo Niles, Ruben Niles and Viggo Niles Sr.; cousins: Delrise Berry, Vern Niles, Serena Niles, Liston Niles and Viggo Niles Jr.; father-in-law, Frank Petersen; and brother-in-law, Kendall “Seigo” Petersen.

In 2007, after 27 years of service at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), Corporate Extension Service (CES) he retired as CES assistant director of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  With the advancement of the Virgin Islands culture and agriculture near and dear to his heart, one of his most important contributions was the initiation of the St. Croix annual “Mango Melee and Fruit Festival.”  He was also deeply intrenched in the planning of the annual St. Croix Agriculture Food Fair.

In 1983, he served on the Agriculture and Food Fair Board of Directors as director of the of farm exhibits and supervisor of the ‘Farmer of the Year’ award.  From 1985-2004, Clinton served as director of UVI Exhibitions and Fairs. The Agriculture and Food Fair Board honored him for his contributions by naming the 2015 Agriculture and Food Fair Grounds the “Clinton George Fair Grounds.”

Taking time to play was not lost on Clinton. He was a sports enthusiast who believed in giving back to the community and positively uplifting the youth.  Back in the day, he was involved in many sports and youth programs on St. Croix and St. Thomas, including coaching little league and junior league teams. He played on numerous softball teams as an outfielder and was last involved with the coordination and management of activities for senior’s softball team, the Las Vegans.

Clinton is survived by his wife, Valerie Petersen; sons: Nkobi George (Rabiah) and Sekou George; daughters: Shekema George and Tyshene Neely-Heyliger (Mark); grandchildren: Abena George, Ahmose George, Ifeoma George, Iyahna George, Kobi George, Layla George,  Daijha Neely, Oiya Neely, Oshya Neely and Quiniche Peets; sisters: Angela George, Carol Francis, Patricia Ottley and Gloria Shaw; nieces: Shanika Abdullah, Naila Francis, Jessica George, Dana Shaw and Erica Shaw; and nephews: Jabari Francis, Nkosi Francis and Jelani Todman.

He is also survived by great nieces: Alani Abdullah and Mileena Farrington; great nephews: Ayden Abdullah and Torrance Perry; mother-in-law, Clarissa Messer Petersen; stepchildren: Charissa Jones, Lionel Sackey Jr. and Tiffany Sackey; step-grandchildren: Akeem Jones, Makyla Jones, Malaysia Jones, Lionel Sackey III and Takari Vandiver; step-son-in-law, Ernest B. Jones; step-daughter-in-law, Felicia Martell-Sackey; and brothers-in-law: Calvin Francis, Peter Ottley and Noel Shaw Jr.

Other survivors include sisters-in-law: Judith George, Wanda Morris, Shermaine Nielsen, Ava Petersen, Violet Petersen, Verdel Petersen, Darice Plasket, Norine Spicer and Denise Stout; cousins: Clifton Berry, Sandra Johnson, Lois Bois, Francia Brin, Maureen Bryan, Donna Riley, Winnie Maduro, Allen Niles and Louis Niles; life-long friends: Sele Adeyemi, Tito Jose Alomal, Robert Burke, Liston George, Ashley Krigger, Kwame Motilewa, Tyrone Molyneaux and Melvin Testamark; colleagues past and present of The University of the Virgin Islands, Corporate Extension Service, and his teammates of the Las Vegans softball team; as well as others too numerous to mention.

Clinton will be laid to rest on Friday, May 20.  A going home service in celebration of his life will be held at the Word of Faith International Christian Center, 8354 Estate Contant, St. Thomas.  Tributes will begin at 9 a.m. followed by service at 10 a.m.  Interment immediately following the service at the Smith Bay Eastern Cemetery, Veterans section.  Live streaming on WSTA 1340AM will begin at 9 a.m. at www.focusvi.com.  Click on the link ‘Clinton George’ to access.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org in his honor is preferred. Funeral Arrangements are under the care of Turnbull Funeral Home, St. Thomas.

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