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CWO3 Retired, George Albert Erath, US Army

Funeral service for CWO3 Retired, George Albert Erath, US Army, age 82, of Fayetteville, TN will be held at 2pm on Friday, December 23, 2022, Higgins Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Vann officiating. Burial will follow in Lincoln Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held from 12pm until 2pm on Friday at Higgins.

George was born on October 25, 1940, in Billings, MT to the late R. Dewey and Nellie Christina Wagner Erath. He passed away December 20, 2022, at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, TN. George retired from the US Army after an honored career that spanned over 20 years. His service carried him to both Vietnam and Germany, and finally to Redstone Arsenal. Not one to brag on himself, his actions spoke for him. He maintained an excellent service record and took pride in his duties. George was also very well respected by his subordinates, and many were mentored by him throughout his career. He even went back to Frankfurt, Germany in the 1980’s where he was in charge of an upgrade in facilities and assisted in design and missile systems. While in the Army George also obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland. He went on after retirement to work as an engineer with Boeing in Quality Control with NASA’s Space Station.

George also loved his family, and he loved nature. His favorite way of showing that love was working together with his family on the farm and passing on his leadership and guidance while sharing the joy of the land. George thrived outside on his tree farm and planted over 16,000 hardwood trees there. He was also the Treasurer of the Elk Valley Foresters Association. George was an accomplished pianist and a true “Renaissance Man” who shared himself with those around him. His wish would surely be that of his fellow soldiers when he left their ranks to return to Germany, “May the sun fall ever on your shoulders.”

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Marlies Radug Erath; son, Robert Lee (Shannon) Erath; daughter, Natalya “Tascha” (Ronald) Osgood; grandchildren, Savanna Leigh Erath, Amanda Lynn Erath, Augustus James (Sarah Catherine) Osgood, and Abrahm George Osgood; brother, Robert William “Bob” (Elaine) Erath. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his brother, Philip Dewey Erath.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of CWO3 Retired, George Albert Erath, US Army

19 Comments (Open | Close)

19 Comments To "CWO3 Retired, George Albert Erath, US Army"

#1 Comment By Joyce Plunkett On December 20, 2022 @ 5:36 pm

Tasha, sorry for the lost of your Dad. My prayers are with you at this sad time! Bobby and Joyce Plunkett

#2 Comment By Christy Curtis On December 20, 2022 @ 5:50 pm

Tascha,

I’m so sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Christy Curtis and family

#3 Comment By Jimmy and Janice Towry On December 20, 2022 @ 5:53 pm

Tascha, sorry for the loss of your Dad.
Prayers for all the family.

#4 Comment By Karen Gilliam On December 20, 2022 @ 7:47 pm

Sweet Tascha and family, my heart aches for all of you. I will hold you close in prayer now and in the days to come. Much love.

#5 Comment By carolyn Greenwood On December 21, 2022 @ 6:03 am

so sorry for your loss

#6 Comment By Stan and Tammy Spray On December 21, 2022 @ 6:15 am

Sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our deepest condolences.

#7 Comment By Cathy Pitts On December 21, 2022 @ 7:34 am

Tasha, prayers for you and your sweet family during this time. So very sorry for your loss.

#8 Comment By Bonnie Reavis On December 21, 2022 @ 9:36 am

I am so sorry to hear of your loss! I will be praying for your family to feel comfort and peace. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Erath but he sounded like an amazing man. Love, Bonnie Reavis

#9 Comment By Robin D Shelton On December 21, 2022 @ 9:49 am

I am so very sorry for the loss of Mr. George. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

#10 Comment By Bruce & Hui Yon Titsworth On December 21, 2022 @ 5:45 pm

George and his family have been good friends for more than 45 years. He and his wife, me and my wife shared many good meals and wonderful walks with them. George was always ready to share his knowledge and experiences with anyone. He will be truly missed. We wish the best for his wife and his family.

#11 Comment By Marijoan Croft On December 21, 2022 @ 7:48 pm

So very sorry for your loss Ms. Erath and family! Mr. Erath will be missed in our community! Praying for comfort and peace in the days ahead! Marijoan Croft

#12 Comment By Bea Spray On December 21, 2022 @ 11:17 pm

We are so sorry to hear this. We enjoyed visits with each other and had a lot of fun. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Love,

Art Ross and Beatrice Ross Spray

#13 Comment By Nicole Belanger-Smith On December 22, 2022 @ 8:42 am

When we moved to Manitoulin we had the misfortune of not having the best neighbours.
But the last 10 years , when they finally sold , I told the powers that be that I was owed good neighbours .
When they showed up , I sent John over to say hi and welcome and when he came back , I held my breath ? So??
“You should see the dog!”
So I mustered my courage and went over
The dog was an English mastiff but inside of the 150 lbs was a pussycat and the two owners were the most wonderful people…George and Marlies from Tennessee
We were instant friends …..
it was the best time ……..
our deepest sympathies to Marlies and all the family at this time
John and Nicole Smith

#14 Comment By Linda Woods On December 22, 2022 @ 9:59 am

I worked for George Erath at McDonnell Douglas for a while. He was such a Good Man! Honest, Kind and Smart! So Sorry for his Loss. Praying for George’s Family at this Sad time.

#15 Comment By Bruce Knutson On December 22, 2022 @ 3:09 pm

When I first hired on with McDonnell Douglas / Boeing it was with the SPACEHAB program and George was there to show me the ropes. Appreciated his help and guidance as I settled in. He was a great mentor and made the program the best one I have ever worked on. I know he will surely be missed. Rest now soldier.

#16 Comment By Lenace Hyde Lehnert On December 22, 2022 @ 3:23 pm

Tasha,
Sorry to learn of the loss of your Father. Prayers for your family.
Lenace Hyde Lehnert

#17 Comment By Melissa Armstrong On December 22, 2022 @ 4:47 pm

Robert, Shannon and family, So sorry for the loss of your father and father-inlaw. He had a very impressive military career and family life. One you should be very grateful for. You are forever in our prayers.

#18 Comment By Tom Hall, retired forester On December 25, 2022 @ 4:43 pm

Wow, I feel very blessed to have known George! As a forester, I enjoyed all my visits to view his hardwood planting and harvesting techniques. I am thankful for his devoted service to our country as well as his work with Elk Valley Forestry Association. I especially remember the nice forestry field day that he hosted on his farm. George was extremely intelligent and skilled in many areas. I remember how he knew just what to do to repair a piece of broken down machinery. Perhaps most importantly, I remember George for his gentle and joyful spirit which made him a pleasure to be around. My condolences to all his family.

#19 Comment By Roy Yeager On December 28, 2022 @ 5:33 pm

I just learned of George’s passing. It was an honor to know him.