George Edward Alcott

Dr. George Edward Alcott, 94, died Tuesday, September 20, 2011, in Little Rock, AR, following complications from a massive stroke suffered on September 4. Answering to "Doctor George," "Doc,' "Dad," "G-Daddy," "Great-Grandaddy" — Doctor Alcott was born February 19, 1917, in Weiner, Ark., to Dr. George Brown Alcott and Clara Mae McDaniel Alcott. His parents and two sisters, Jayne Kathryn and Eloise, predecease him. At the age of 15 he entered college at Northwestern University in Chicago, one of nine students chosen internationally for remarkable intelligence. George was officially categorized a genius early in his life. After finishing his undergraduate degree at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., and working for Sun Oil Company in Baltimore, Md., he entered Annapolis Naval Academy (Annapolis, Md.) to prepare for service in WWII. He served as First Lieutenant in charge of the engine room on a battle cruiser, the third USS Vincennes in the Pacific arena, 1943-44, under Admirals William "Bull" Halsey and Chester Nimitz. After studying dentistry at University of Tennessee in Memphis, he anticipated setting up his first practice in Southeast Arkansas. This plan, however, gave way and George learned of an opportunity in Bald Knob, Ark. He met his future wife, Billy June Forbes, when she was a patient in his dental chair. George and June married on March 19, 1950. Forty-four years later (January 1995) June died of myelodysplasia leukemia at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Throughout four decades of practicing dentistry in Bald Knob, Dr. Alcott was deeply committed to teaching his patients how to care for their own teeth, instead of letting them decay and/or require costly oral surgery. He kept a 2.5-gallon jar filled with molars extracted from strapping farmers, truckers, and railroad workers; this jar was a source of giant fascination to his older children Forbes and Cynthia. During the devastating tornado of 1952 the young dentist unwittingly completed a root canal while ignoring the deafening clatter of banging shutters. After the procedure was finished, he and the patient left the office: Walking out through the little green door in the alley they were dumbfounded to see that the south side of downtown Main St. had been completely leveled by the storm. He served twice as president of the Arkansas Dental Association and traveled widely promoting preventive dentistry. In addition to general dentistry and oral surgery he also practiced orthodontia. Many times Doctor George would accept farm produce or other goods in return for his meticulous work. When welfare began paying for children's dental care in the early 1960s, and insurance claims were mired in red tape, he would often perform his services free. At age 56 George was playing touch football with his youngest son Doug and pulled a muscle in his arm. That day he decided he would never let himself get out of shape again and began a daily exercise program that lasted in age-appropriate phases until September 4, 2011. He was jogging for exercise and adhering to a low-fat diet long before widespread research proved these practices advantageous to health and longevity. George was the archetypal Southern gentleman, indeed one of the last of his era. He was a wordsmith who loved communicating and expanding his vocabulary; the same intense interest was true of correct grammar and trout fishing. He abhorred the frivolities of excess, including new hats and new cars. Dr. George loved music (Debussy, Big Band, Bing Crosby). Every Sunday as long as he lived in Bald Knob, he sang in the choir at The First United Methodist Church. In late January 2010 the Alcott homestead caught fire and burned to the ground. He then moved in with his youngest daughter, Helen Alcott DuBose of Little Rock, her husband Pat, five children, and two dogs. Three months ago he cut a fine figure at his granddaughter Amanda Alcott's wedding in Dallas, Texas. Dashing in a new black suit, G-Daddy danced with the bride and her bridesmaids at the reception. Dr. Alcott had a magnificent memory for names and faces, quick to greet with his basso profundo charm and two-handed shake, quick with a clever pun. Last Christmas during a medical examination a female physician asked him, "Dr. Alcott, have you fallen recently?" He paused and fired back, "Fallen in love?" The doctor was quite fond of the parting phrase, "Have a nice day." For decades he was active in the Christian ministry of Gideons International, working with prison inmates and placing Bibles in hotels and other facilities. He supported two Ugandan orphans. Rest in peace, George. May all your Christmases be white somewhere over the rainbow. And have a nice day! Dr. George Edward Alcott is predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Billy June Forbes Alcott of Bald Knob, Ark., and an infant grandson Colin Forbes Alcott (born to Forbes and Jenna Alcott) of Houston, Texas. He is survived by four children: George Forbes Alcott (Jenna Carey) of Houston, Texas; Cynthia June Alcott Urich (Rich) of Fayetteville, Ark.; Helen Clara Alcott DuBose (Pat) of Little Rock, Ark.; and Douglas Albert Alcott of Dallas, Texas. His legacy also includes 12 grandchildren: Callison Edward Alcott (Joanna Hawkins) of Houston, Texas, Carey Alcott of Houston, and Madeline Alcott of Baltimore, Md.; Anna Eloise Alcott Wise of Fayetteville, Ark.; Harris DuBose of Fayetteville, Ark.; Andrew DuBose of Little Rock, Ark.; Susan Victoria DuBose of Little Rock, Marie Claire DuBose of Little Rock, and Isaac DuBose of Little Rock; Amanda Alcott Burks (Payne) of Champaign, Ill.; Adam Alcott of Austin, Texas; Ali Alcott of Nashville, Tenn.; and one great-granddaughter, Cedar June Alcott (three-year-old daughter of Cal and Joanna), of Houston. Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, Bald Knob-Judsonia. www.powellfuneralhome.net.