MY DEAREST FRIEND ON TOBACCO ROAD PART III
If you missed it in the previous Posts, this is a [LINK] to a video where George recalls his life and times. Click on the link to see George tell his own story.
REAL ESTATE – A THIRD CAREER
In 1987, after 27 years “behind a counter” George liquidated his gun business and became a real estate agent. He had already made some successful real estate deals. In 1960, he bought the acreage where he still lives for $130 an acre, now in the $7,000 range.
He bought 150 acres for $6,500; a year later he sold it for $16,500.
In 1971 he bought 150 acres for $50,000, agreeing to pay in $6,500 annual installments. He borrowed the initial payment from his personal physician and had no invested equity. He sold the land in 11 months for $100,000, a $50,000 ($375,000 -2023) profit. Such successes encouraged him to become a realtor.
He had several partnership proposals, but he opted to become a licensed realtor with a local firm, specializing in farmland.
George worked with many clients in land transactions. One of his favorites was a noted land trader in the area. They did many deals together, and the client wrote a letter saying that George was the best realtor he had ever dealt with. This was no faint praise. This man had more than 100 real estate transactions a year.
In 1990, George met a man who had become interested in the Grand Tetons area in Idaho. George visited the Teton River Valley and thought it was the prettiest land he had ever seen. He bought and sold several properties there. And he made lasting friendships with the cattle ranchers and potato farmers in the valley.
in the late 1950s, George visited a family friend in the New River valley in southwestern Virginia. Remembering its beauty, in 1980 he inquired about property there. After 10 years, in 1990, he finally found an opportunity to invest - an auction for 350 acres along the New River. A family friend was getting married that day, but George told Eleanor she must represent the family at the wedding. He and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth, went to the sale. He bought 90 acres at auction.
As adjacent parcels became available, George expanded the holdings to 315 acres, with 2 miles of riverfront on the scenic New River. George’s dream is that his family can enjoy this retreat for decades to come. This property is dearest to his heart.
In early adulthood, he had a goal to own 1,000 acres of land. He is proud to have achieved that goal. Some of the land has a long history for him, and his memories of it cannot be valued in dollars.
For much of his life, George had health Issues – From age 19 to 35, he was sick a couple times each year for several days. At 35 he had a very serious operation to remove the cause, a colon inflammation. His weight went from 181 pounds to 139 pounds in 10 days, but the operation finally restored his health.
In 2018, as his 80th birthday approached, he fell ill with Crohn’s Disease. He was hospitalized, but he insisted that he would attend his birthday celebration. At the reception, 400 guests paid their respects. Next day, he returned to the hospital and thankfully recovered.
Antique cars are another of his hobbies. He bought his first car in 1955 for $475 - a two-door 1940 Ford. He prefers cars from the 1930s-1950s. One is a Ford model made famous by the notorious outlaw pair, Bonnie Parker & Clyde Barrow.
He continues to be active in his church, politics, and managing his properties. His favorite days are spent with Eleanor, two daughters and their families, enjoying their mountain retreat.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
My friend has had a remarkable life. But his story is like that of many men and women born in the 1930s.
While George worked hard and applied his talents, his life was blessed by the providence of economic development and rising business opportunities where we lived. He is a humble man who never takes these blessings for granted. Nor should any of us.