George Emmett Brakeall

George Emmett Brakeall born in Clifton, Ohio.  He passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2021 at the age of 95 years old.   George grew up living and playing at John Bryan State Park in Ohio where his father worked as a ranger.    George served his country, in the Army, in Germany during World War II reconstruction.  He returned to Ohio and then moved to San Diego, California where he lived for 50 years.  He worked at Convair, Solar and General Dynamics in the aerospace industry until retiring as a Manufacturing Engineer.   He helped get the first lunar expedition vehicle on the moon while he worked at Solar.   George retired early and quickly bought and ran a machine shop, followed by a hardware store, and then a dry cleaner business. After years as a successful entrepeneur, George retired for good.

Once retired, George enjoyed helping his neighbors doing masonry work and other home renovations and repairs.   In his spare time he golfed, fished and bowled.    Later he would go to the gym or just drive around in his vintage Austin Healy.  George and his wife, Katie, loved to travel. For many years they went back and forth across the United States seeing sights and visiting family and friends.  He followed his daughter, Rita, her husband David and grandchildren Ian and Desiree to South Carolina and was joined in South Carolina by his son, George Jr.

George is survived by his wife, Catherine (Katie) Brakeall, daughter Rita, son George and his daughter, Rosalie Parent from a previous marriage.    George will be remembered with love by his many nephews, nieces, cousins, grandchildren and great grandchildren.   He was one of 12 children who preceeded him in death.

Memorial Services will be held at Palmetto Funeral Home on June 15, 2021 at 3:30 pm.  Services are private.

His ashes will be scattered at John Bryan State Park in Ohio during his family reunion in August.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be sent in honor of George Emmett Brakeall to:

South Carolina Scottish Rite Foundation for Speech Therapy

7230 Garners Ferry Rd, Columbia, SC 29209