George Overstreet

Commander George Harold Overstreet, 95, entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 17, 2024.

George was born in 1929, to Harold and Mary Overstreet, in a small house on the east side of the property where the current Lakeland YMCA and Peterson Park are, in Lakeland, FL. He and his younger brother, Charles "Bucky," had free reign to get into mischief in the downtown and San Gulley areas of Lakeland where they lived throughout their school years. He graduated from Lakeland High School in 1948, and shortly afterwards entered the Navy.

After seven and a half years as an aviation metalsmith, he earned a commission. He retired as a Commander in 1977 after 29 years in service. Commander Overstreet was based in Malta, Vietnam, and Panama as well as many bases stateside. He served in fighter squadrons, on aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and ocean-going minesweepers. During his service career, he served two tours in Vietnam; the first was onshore as Commander of Harbor Defense and the second was at sea as Commander of Mine Division 32. During his time in service, he earned his degree in U. S. Government and International Relations at the Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. George was based in Jacksonville, FL; a British naval air station on Malta; Patuxent River, MD; Newport, RI; Boston, MA; Washington, D.C.; Newport, RI; Charleston, SC; Monterey, CA; Cameron Bay, Vietnam; Long Beach, CA; and the Panama Canal Zone.

Upon retiring from the Navy in 1977, he attended the Baltimore (MD) Navigation School and received his U. S. Coast Guard Master's License before accepting a position with Energy Transportation Corporation. ETC was a New York-based company formed to manage eight new liquified natural gas tankers built in Quincy, MA. He began his LNG service as a third mate and quickly moved up to the position of Master of the LNG Virgo. He retired from ETC in 1998.

George and his wife Alice enjoyed world travels. George had visited 57 countries and been around the world twice. In 2001, George and Alice volunteered with the Polk County Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program. George become Coordinator at the end of the year. After two years as Coordinator, and Co-Coordinator for many years George was a driving force behind the program. George also volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity, Tuesday Tigers, and Migrant Student Ministries.

George leaves behind a legacy of faith, family and love. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Alice Ray, his daughter Cindy Connors, and grandchildren Kris Tilley (Tamara) and Mieka Patzer (Bo). He also leaves behind six great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10:00am, at First United Methodist Church Lakeland, followed by visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Migrant Student Ministries Program or Tuesday Tigers Ramp Ministry at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton Dr. Lakeland, Florida 33801, Polk County Toys for Tots, PO Box 303, Lakeland, FL 33802-0303, or to the charity of your choice.