George Souza Obituary
George Souza, loving husband, father and grandfather entered into peaceful rest on Wednesday, after a valiant battle with Multiple Systems Atrophy.
George was born on Feb. 28, 1923 to Jesse and Carrie Souza in Vallejo. He attended school in Vallejo, then served in the Army-Air Force in England during World War II. Upon return from the war, he attended Vallejo Junior College, and then received his bachelors degree at U.C. Berkeley, where he was a member of the 1950 and 1951 Cal Bears Rose Bowl teams.
George was an educator and coach for 30 years, dedicating his talents to the development of many young people. He began his career at Davis High School in 1953. He then moved to the San Juan Unified School District, serving at El Camino and Bella Vista High Schools, completing his career at La Sierra High School in 1983.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Katherine Matulich Souza; adoring children, Matthew and Carrie; daughter-in-law, Crystal; granddaughter, Molly; and grandsons, Nathaniel and Elijah Souza. He will also be missed by his extended family, Bergie and Penny Berggren; brother-in-law John (Carol) Matulich; sister-in-laws, Arlene Matulich, Margaret (Dick) Wagner, Frances (Ken) Nardinelli; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his sister, Jacqueline Lilly; brother-in-laws, George Lilly, Mark Matulich and Tony Matulich; and niece, Noreen Musgrave.
A celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 12, at La Sierra Community Center, 5325 Engle Rd., Carmichael, CA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgetown Fire Department, 6281 Main St., Georgetown, CA 95634.
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Mike Precobb
April 10, 2018
I was proud to have Coach Souza in my years at El Camino. He had everyone's respect. He was the epitome of a football player in stature and determination, but he realized he was coaching impressionable young men - and he left an impression that I can recall 60 years later.
Tim Triplett
December 12, 2007
Tim Triplett
Colleen (Desmond) Discenza
October 1, 2007
Coach Souza touched my life as an athlete & a person. He was my AD at Mira Loma High School & a great advocate for girls sports. He touched the lives of so many as is evident by the many messages in this guest book. What a tribute! My heartfelt condolences to his family for your loss.
Jay McCarl
August 12, 2007
George Souza was, to me, a most remarkable man. He was tall, gray, sturdy, unassuming, and very wise; a grandfather in the grandest terms. When we talked together, he often spoke to me less of sports and more of his adventures experienced during the Second World War – the Good War – which has always been a subject of great interest to one like myself who grew up as a naïve child of the “peace movement”, and who has battled in life against little more than an expanding waistline. George was to me an icon of that greatest generation who contended for liberty and brought home the victory for all the children of the future. I loved his quiet heroism.
George was truly Kathy’s great beloved and “other half”, as you could not speak of one without the speaking of the other. I witnessed many times their gentle love and stalwart dedication to each other, which was founded on a great and divine promise made more than a half a century ago when they said, and meant (and have now fulfilled that sublime pledge), “Until death us do part…” (we here have much to learn about such things, and today they have become our teacher). George loved Kathy and Kathy loved George, and no one need explain it to us.
Most of all, however, George loved God, and with all his heart (which I am sure most, if not all of you, are well aware). It was this supreme love which shaped him as a man and ultimately completed him. God loved George, and George loved him right back. In the end, God did not abandon him, but did what He always does when His children suffer: He held George’s hand when we could not reach him, and comforted him when all our words had failed. And now they are together at last, just as God promised in Jesus Christ – the completion and the great fulfillment of the Christian hope – our assured hope: that we who believe will also one day be worshipping at the feet of Jesus, there with George, and with the multitudes God has so graciously and mercifully saved. I am certain George would remind you to see to it that you will be there as well.
Thank God! Though, for now, we seek to gently close a door, it’s not over…Kathy…it is just the end of the beginning…!
God bless you,
Pastor Jay
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Ned Heasty
August 11, 2007
My condolences and prayers go to the family and close friends of Coach Souza. He was a gifted and caring man that was a positive role model for many boys becoming young men. I am grateful for the influence Coach Souza had in my life, not only in football, but also in many other areas. Many will miss him.
Don Odale
August 10, 2007
My dad, Glenn Odale, coached George, I believe in both high school and junior college in Vallejo. There was no man that he respected more than George Souza, as player and as a person. I am so fortunate to have met with him on several during my life. The last visit was at George's induction into the GVRD Hall of Fame. My family's sympathies go out to George's family.
Don Odale
Terri Cox
August 9, 2007
I had the pleasure of running into Coach Souza last summer and he remembered me right away. He was always one of my favorites at La Sierra and I like so many others will miss him dearly. My condolences to his family and friends. What a testimony this guest book is on the legacy he has left behind!!
Roberta Tippett
August 7, 2007
Coach Souza was such an awesome guy! One one of the greatest things we had in common was we were both Portuguese, and I remember bringing him lingucia!~ He was always one of the great memories of my days at La Sierra.
( class of'80)
Frances Hubbard-Kyle
August 7, 2007
I am the daughter of Rosenlind June Coker Hubbard, deceased July 24, 2006. My mother lived just down the street from the Souza family and I have heard many, many stories of her years growing up and with the Souza's in her life. We were all sorry to hear of George's passing. Just thought you might like to know that even in Placerville, California he will be remembered.
Denise Lindsay-Daniels
August 6, 2007
I was lucky enough to have had Coach Souza for my 4 years at La Sierra. He was the nicest, kindest man I think I've ever met. He always called me "smiley". Even at the all class reunion, he still called me that. What an honor it was to know such a great man. I am so sorry for your loss. Not only did you lose a wonderful man, we Longhorns lost one of our best!
William Heinrich
August 5, 2007
Coach Souza was a wonderful coach and a great friend. I enjoyed his guidance through football, wrestling and classroom instruction. Although I graduated in '67, LSHS has always been a grounding focus in my life. It was people like the Coach who made it that way. May your soul rest with God. My prayers are with the family.
Skee Lisle
August 5, 2007
George and I were childhood playmates, we were born 5 days apart at the Vallejo General Hospital while both were living in my Grandmothers apartment's. Then came WWII and we were off to war, He to Europe Me to the South Pacific. We seen each other many times through the years it was always a time for Lot's of laughter, I will miss Him and Cherish the memories. My Condolences to the Family. My Prayers are with you.
Philip Germond
August 3, 2007
Coach Souza was one of the good guys. He was very much respected by those whom he mentored and someone I will never forget.
Phil Germond
LSHS '67
Robert Franz Jr.
August 3, 2007
I played quarterback for Coach Souza during the 1963-64 football season at LSH. Of all the coaches I have had for all the sports I played, he is the one I remember the best, and the one that I liked and respected the most. The fact that it is now fourth down does not mean that any of his student-athletes are going to punt. His memory and teachings will always be with all of us. Coach Souza, thank you.
Sue Lawson (Darula)
August 2, 2007
I remember coach Souza from way back, I was a student at La Sierra High class of 1979.He was a great Coach. God Bless your family.
Mike Pisor
August 1, 2007
My very best to the Souza family. Coach Souza was an inspirational gentleman who shared his passion for life with those who he coached and contacted during his teaching career. Being from the La Sierra Class of 1964, I remember clearly the direction he gave to his teams and the sincerity in which it was given. He cared dearly for each player inspite of their abilities. In looking back, Coach Souza's desire for touching the lives he coached for the long term was far more important than just winning the game. I remember one game in which he called me to the sideline to ask if I was "saving myself for the Rose Bowl." His comments touched me at the time and now have more of a profound meaning than when standing on the field. May God bless Coach Souza. My very best. Mike Pisor
Kim (McCleary) Hanagan
August 1, 2007
I send prayers for healing to Coach Souza's wife and family. Your husband, father, grandfather and friend touched my life and many of my friends at La Sierra (class of '81). He supported the girls athletics program in a big way. In addition to creating a positive environment in the scary co-ed P.E. classes, he also attended so many of our games and he would stop you in the hall to ask about the game, and also to ask about you and how things were going with school. He made you feel like he was your fan, and that was such a great feeling to experience as a teenager. One that affects you long after high school. Thank you Mrs. Souza and family for sharing your time with him.
Charles Stromme
August 1, 2007
We are diminished by the loss of a role model, gentleman and leader.
Good-bye Coach, thank you and God bless.
Chuck Stromme
LSHS '64
Jim Ray
August 1, 2007
George was a friend, mentor, fellow coach and a wonderful person. He will be missed very much and we wish Kathy and his family well. God Bless. Jim and Sharon Ray, Weed, CA.
Norm Delise Jr.
August 1, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with the Souza family members. Coach Souza was one of the few teachers at La Sierra (Class of 1970) that was able to get me to think and prepare for my future back in my teenage years. I have to say he was instrumental in a number of the right choices I made since knowing him. I am so sorry I never had the opportunity to thank him personally for that.
Roger Sharrer
August 1, 2007
George was my football coach in 1964. I wasn't much of a player but he was a great man. I've thought of him often over the years. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Tom Russell
August 1, 2007
To my friend Matt and the entire Souza family. My condolences and prayers at this time of loss but also celebration of the life of your dad and his being present with our Lord and Father in heaven.
God Bless
Tom Russell
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