George South

After years of injuries and illness, George Vernon South is finally relieved of his suffering—and free to cheer for BYU sports without hurting his neck!

George was born in Salt Lake City on June 5, 1949, to George Q. and Melba Eastman South. He was a very sick baby and was not expected to live for even 24 hours. But George proved all of the doctors wrong, going on to live a full and hearty life.

Born with a profound hearing loss, George used lip-reading and hearing aids to navigate social situations. His parents chose not to put him in a school for the deaf, instead enrolling him in public school to encourage him to communicate with the hearing world. When he would get bored in school, he would purposefully make his hearing aids squeal until the teacher would take them away. As he got updated hearing aids throughout his life, George would suddenly experience new sounds, and his family would have to listen intently to help him figure out what he was hearing for the first time. 

George was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served a mission in the Northern States Mission, which included five states and the city of Chicago. While on his mission, George learned to play hymns on the piano—he had a great love for music despite his hearing challenges, and loved being part of the missionary choir. 

After returning home, George studied at BYU and Salt Lake Community College. He eventually graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting—all while supporting his family and raising children. Over the course of his career, he worked for several different companies as a full-time office controller and accountant. He also did occasional accounting for small companies and helped many people with their income taxes.

In 1974, George met a young woman and returned missionary named Joyce Pedersen. They were married on January 17, 1975, in the Salt Lake Temple. Joyce and George would go on to have six children. George loved taking his kids camping and fishing in the mountains. Some of their best memories were exploring Trial Lake and other areas of the Uintas. 

As he aged, George had multiple health issues that limited his ability to do what he loved. He underwent more than 50 surgeries, including several joint replacements and spinal fusions. In the last decade of his life, seizures caused memory loss and rapid mental decline. His first seizure erased 20 years of memories—but he could still remember the scripture verses he used as a missionary!

Through it all, Joyce was his loyal caretaker, even though he was not the most easygoing patient at times. 

George is survived by his 6 children: Jeremy (Larkyn), Jason (Miyo), Jared, Jacob (Mindy), Jennifer, and Justin; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and his brother Alan (Linda). He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters. 

George's family was grateful that they could share tender moments with him during his last days on hospice, and that he was alert enough to recognize them, smile, and use their childhood nicknames as he said one last goodbye. 

Memorial services for George will begin with a viewing on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 6–8 pm, at Memorial Redwood Mortuary (6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, UT 84084). Another viewing will be held Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 1–1:45 pm, at the church located at 7255 South 2200 West, West Jordan, UT 84084. Following that viewing, the funeral will be held at 2 pm. Interment will follow at Memorial Redwood Cemetery.

Access this link to view the funeral services remotely, via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94489420486#success