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George McKinstry Cauthen passed away at home in Duluth, GA on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb 29th while surrounded by loving family. He was 82 years old.
Born in Columbia, South Carolina to Doris and George Sr in 1941, George Jr grew up in Blackshear, Georgia, and attended Georgia Military Academy. He was on the USS Cony, attended college at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and graduate schools at Princeton University, University of Hawaii, and Johns Hopkins University. He earned an ScD in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins under Dr George Comstock. He then worked in the epidemiology of tuberculosis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for 20 years.
George joined the Peace Corps between attending Princeton and University of Hawaii. He did two 
consecutive tours in South Korea where he walked across mountains between villages to provide medical services and conduct public health surveys for rural Koreans. His Peace Corps experiences remained central to his identity: he met his wife, Sooky, in Korea; he wandered in strange and rugged places; he found his calling in research, epidemiology and medicine; and his fellow Peace Corps volunteers became central, lifelong friends.
Learning, exploring outdoor spaces, and trips to Ghost Ranch, New Mexico motivated George throughout his life. He shared these inspirations with his wife, children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and friends and they proved formative. His motivations live on in his children and grandchildren.
George is predeceased by his younger brother, Jon, and parents, Doris and George. He is survived by his wife, Sooky; sister, Gertrude; his children, Jon, Sarah, and Alfred; and his granddaughters, Laura, Mallory and Cameron; and grandsons, Harper and Taylor.
A celebration of George’s life for family and friends will be held at the home of his son and daughter-in-law on Sunday, March 10th from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
Michael Griffeth says
What an absolutely amazing life he led… such an inspiration. Sending love and healing vibes.
Amelia Harrell says
My deepest condolences to all the family and prayers ascending in the days ahead for peace and comfort 🙏💐 SENDING MUCH LOVE ♥️
Kathleen Kanne says
Sending love from the Kanne family in Minnesota! ❤️
Alva Crivens Bergonzi says
My condolences to George’s family. I do remember him.
Monica Goubaud says
George has always loomed large in my heart ever since we were in the Peace Corps together in South Korea but especially in training at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico and Hopi country. I love him dearly and always will. He was the volunteer I wish I could have been. My love to all his family. Please continue coming to the reunions!!
Lynn Griffeth says
I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a remarkable man. I’m sending positive thoughts and prayers for the family
Ralph Echols says
I met George when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Korea in 1972. First impression he made on me was that he
was a sincere, honest, humble man of well above average intelligence. Further interaction with ‘homeboy’ (I’m from
Atlanta, he was from Blackshear) George proved those first impressions to be absolutely correct.
Rest in Peace, George, Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech, hell of an engineer and a great Peace Corps Volunteer.
Emily Coble says
I am so sad to learn that George has died. He was on my mind as I drove through Georgia last week. He often commented on my Pecan trees, iris, and other plants that I grow. Then there were the RPCV reunion s at Ghost Ranch, where always some of the best conversations were with George. What a void your departure has made, George M. Cauthen! I send sincerest condolences to Shooky, Jon, Sarah, and Alfred.