With heavy hearts, our deepest condolences

With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce George H. Lorton passed away on July 18, 2022. George was a great man who was an integral part of the Propeller Club and maritime community at large. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered and will be dearly missed. Please keep George’s Family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through these difficult moments.

George Harvey Lorton, 77, of Thonotasassa, FL passed away on July 18, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Homestead, Florida, and raised in Sulphur Springs, George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Ruth Lorton and his brother Carl Lorton. George is survived by his wife, Janet Lorton; daughters Diedra (Dee) Lorton, Heather Kilburn and Morgan Miller; and his grandchildren Jordan Campbell (Erica), Luc Ciccarello (Mikaela), Sarah Ciccarello, Dylan Parker, and Mallory-Ann DiFabio.

George graduated from King High school and received a Bachelor’s in Geology from USF and an MBA from Northwestern University. George was a loving husband and caring father. He was also an important business leader of the Tampa Port Community that shaped the Tampa waterfront, employed many maritime workers, and was a valuable contributor to charities in Tampa Bay. He was an alumni of Leadership Tampa and owned numerous companies including International Ship Repair and Padgett Swann Machinery. George loved all things related to the marine business and could frequently be found volunteering in the community.

George came from humble beginnings and became a self-made man who believed in giving back and helping others. He was a man of God who grew up wanting to be a minister. George was a man of many talents throughout his life including master beekeeper, pole-vaulter, pilot, boat captain, Boy Scout leader, playing the French horn in the Tampa Orchestra, and singing in a Barbershop Quartet. George was a world traveler and an outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting and won many billfish tournaments and trophy deer contests. He loved dogs and kids and created a fellowship/scholarship opportunity at USF for students studying marine biology and worked with Heartbeat International to give pacemakers to people around the world that could not afford one.

George was a lover of life who was humble, kind, genuine, and giving. He was a mentor to many and a friend to all he encountered. He loved to tell jokes and was well known for his “Lortonisms.” He believed our world could be improved if everyone simply dedicated a little bit of their time towards the common good.

Memorial donations may be made payable to USF Foundation in memory of George H. Lorton to George Lorton Fellowship in Marine Science (#266014) at the Office of Donor Relations, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, ALC100, Tampa, FL 33620, Attn: Beth Corbin or Online at https://giving.usf.edu/online/gift/f/266014/

Celebration of Life:
Sunday, July 24, 2022
4pm-6pm on the Yacht Starship
(Yacht will be docked)
Yacht StarShip
603 Channelside Dr
Tampa, FL 33602

Visitation and Funeral:

First Baptist Church of Plant City
3309 James L Redman Pkwy
Plant City, FL 33566
Monday, July 25, 2022

10am-12:00pm for Visitation

12:00pm - 1:30p for Funeral Service

Graveside service following funeral:
Serenity Meadows Cemetery
6919 Providence Road
Riverview, FL 33578