George H. Bové Jr.

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Feb. 1, 1944 – Aug. 19, 2017

NATCHEZ — Services for George H. Bové Jr. ,73, of Natchez, who died Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at his residence after his battle with cancer, will be noon Friday at Pine Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Ray Holland officiating.    

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Bové was born Feb. 1, 1944 in Newton, Mass., to Henry H. Bové Sr. and Katherine Josie Bové. He was a 1962 graduate of Natchez High School and soon after entered the U.S. Air Force where he served from 1963 to 1969. During this time, he spent one tour in Vietnam.  After his service, he worked for Armstrong Tire Company until their doors closed.

Mr. Bové could usually be seen wearing his typical uniform of jeans, button down shirt and cowboy boots. He loved his Corvette and his horse. He was even in a commercial for feed with his horse and was often seen in and at the rodeo in his younger years. The only time George did not wear cowboy boots and jeans was during his time training and serving with the Natchez Police Department where he worked after leaving Armstrong.

George’s other loves were his motorcycle and traveling. He rode his motorcycle just about every day no matter the weather and he dreamed of traveling the open rode especially to Arizona — he loved the landscape there. He often traveled across country as a truck driver for Jordan Carriers and MDX. Most recently he served as dispatcher for R.W. Delaney Construction Company.

Of all the positions he held, George was most fulfilled serving as pastor of Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Natchez. As pastor, he often served in nursing homes, detention homes and prison ministry. When he was younger, in addition to preaching, he also sang and played the guitar at outdoor church services. He was most happy when he was witnessing to someone and telling people about the Lord. Anyone who knew him knew how much he loved the Lord and how much he loved to talk.

Mr. Bové was preceded in death by his parents and his stepfather, D.R. Franks.

Survivors include his wife, Mattie Bernice Thornton Bové; three children, Anna Cheung and husband, Gary, of Georgia, April Bové of Natchez and Jonathan Bové and wife, Kendall, of Laurel; one grandson, Declan of Georgia; four siblings, James Franks and wife, Sue, of Olive Branch, Edward Bové and wife, Kerri, of Maine, Alvina Bové Gustafson and husband, Gary, and Francis Bennett and wife, Carol, all of Mass.

Pallbearers will be Johnny Thornton, Adam Thornton, Roger Davis, Monty Bradley, Wayne Rabb and Mark Richardson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked to please consider donating to Beams Bible Distribution Ministries, P.O. Box 10200, Gulfport, MS 39505.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.