George Lowry Vickery, 85, a resident of DeBordieu Colony in Georgetown, SC, died Monday, December 26, 2016. George was an active golfer, fisherman and writer. His blogs, relating to his experiences in early television and whatever else popped into his head, were read by almost 300 recipients. His novel, Beyond September, was an Amazon best seller on its debut in 2008. He was born in Atlanta and carried off to Miami in 1934 at the age of three. His writing skills emerged early with essay contest winnings from both American Legion and Dade County while still in junior high school. He became editor-in-chief of the Miami Jackson Globe and was an A student. Even so, he found time for the teams of football, track and golf. Upon graduation, he was singularly chosen for the Jackson Hall of Fame. Attending the University of Miami on a full academic/activities scholarship, George majored in journalism and was a member of the Class of 1953. Along the way he was chosen for multiple awards, including the Ibis "Outstanding Senior." He was editor-in-chief of the Miami Hurricane newspaper, co-editor of the Ibis yearbook, and humor columnist for UM's Tempo magazine. He was tapped into Iron Arrow, at that time the highest honor achieved by men at the UM, and was elected Son of Chief. George was drafted into the Army and served two years in the Psychological Warfare division, handling the duties of chief writer for both the U.S. and Europe. He wrote a play about PsyWar that was staged before GIs in six European countries. Immediately upon his return to civilian life in 1955, George was offered the job of public service and publicity director at Miami's WTVJ Channel 4, the CBS affiliate and the first TV station in the south. George also was director of publicity, merchandising and sales promotion during this stint. He wrote a play, The Day There Was No News, which was aired on both radio and television. After a brief stint heading up promotion at WJBF-TV under the legendary J.B. Fuqua, George was called back to become promotion manager at WTVJ. For six years George entertained many of the CBS Television stars, including Jackie Gleason, which would start a lengthy relationship. The CBS Star Junket was traditionally held in alternate years in Miami Beach. The CBS network introduced its new programs and stars-to-be to a national press and supported them with the biggest names in television. George served as local liaison with the network. In 1968 he left the TV world and opened George Vickery Advertising and Public Relations. After a couple of years, J.B. Fuqua found him again and brought him to Atlanta to head up marketing at Fuqua Industries, which had become one of the nation's leading conglomerates. After a few years traveling the country helping Fuqua's 18 companies, Mr. Fuqua sent George to become vice president of sales and marketing for Inverrary, a thousand-acre development in Fort Lauderdale. This is where he renewed his relationship with Gleason, a resident and the public "face" of Inverrary. George helped start the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic, which still exists today as the PGA' s Honda Classic. After Inverrary sold out, he joined Arvida Corporation in Boca Raton as vice president of marketing and sales, overseeing the giant Boca West development as well as the iconic Boca Raton Hotel and Club. From there he joined Great American Management and Investment in Atlanta as VP of Marketing. GAMI was a REIT struggling with a portfolio of half a billion dollars' worth of foreclosed real estate. George was successful in developing, marketing and liquidating 40 condominium developments and numerous hotels, office buildings, shopping centers and large land parcels. With this knowledge, he left and started Equity Realty, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta with financial backing from Sam Zell, billionaire investor in Chicago. The goal was to convert apartments to condominiums. ERI sold out 12 projects in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, St. Pete, Hartford and Chicago, a total of 4, 500 units in four years. It was time for early retirement at the age of 52, but 1983 was seeing a real estate recession, so George became a consultant, aiding distressed projects in Vero Beach, Gulfport and Palm Beach for the next two years. Then he retired for good and bought a home in Key Largo. Not inclined to be idle, George became a Coast Guard licensed fishing captain, a real estate broker, free-lance writer, and half owner of a weekly newspaper. In 1987, his world turned around when he met Kitty Inabinet. They married the next year and he moved to South Carolina to help her with subsidiary companies after she sold Defender Industries, a company she and her late husband. B.C. Inabinet had started 30 years earlier. George and Kitty moved to DeBordieu in 1988. In 1994 and '95 he served on the board of governors of the SC Department of Natural Resources. In DeBordieu he was on the boards of both the club and the community association. He chaired the dredging of the DeBordieu canal and established a community dock, picnic grounds and crabbing areas. Normally a golfer shooting in the high 90s, George tried for many years to shoot his age. He over-succeeded at the age of 83, shooting a 78. George leaves his precious wife Kitty, as well as two daughters, Lisa Ruffner and Linda Beach; five grandchildren, Jonathan Ruffner, Danielle Vickery, Chrissy Chapman, Nic Beach and four great grandchildren mothered by Johanna Nettles (Brian). The greats are Chris Magyari, Tyler Coleman, Coralyn Nettles and Rhett Nettles. George also leaves behind 3 step children, Dixie I. Hicks, Ben C. Inabinet and Kathy I. Laney and their children; Andi Hicks, Benji Inabinet, Kathryn Inabinet, Alex Inabinet, Austin Chrisley, Graham Chrisley and Ashlyn Laney. Memorial services will be two o'clock Thursday afternoon, December 29, 2016, at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Wilkins. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to: Georgetown Presbyterian Church, 558 Black River Rd., Georgetown, SC 29442. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440