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Funeral services for George I. Cleamons will be 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at John H. Shaw's Son Funeral Home.  Burial will follow at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery; 110 Montford Point Road; Jacksonville, NC 28541. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

George Irwin Cleamons, son of the late Rheudine Janis and James W. Cleamons was born on May 2, 1938, in Gastonia, North Carolina.  He was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina by his father and stepmother Lula Waddell Cleamons.  George passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. George at the age of ten, united with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church on November 11, 1948.  He was educated in the New Hanover County School System, graduating from Williston Senior High School in the Class of 1956. He attended Fisk University.  After three years of college, George joined the United States Air Force.  Following the honorable service to his Country, George briefly returned to Wilmington, North Carolina before living most of his life in New York.  He was an artist and a jazz musician.  George, affectionally known as "Duke" played the Bass Fiddle, John P. Henderson "Moon", played the tenor saxophone, and Lafayette Abersrombie "Loffie", on the drums along with Wilbert Strickland "Strick" on the piano, formed the jazz group known as The Modern Jazz Ensemble and they traveled extensively performing.  His favorite jazz musician was Miles Davis. As an artist his most prized possession was his painting of The Lord's Supper, which he spoke about prior to his passing. George later moved to Las Veas before returning to Wilmington, North Carolina for a short time.  He loved talking about his beloved football team the New England Patriots and basketball teams, the LA Lakers and the NY Knicks.  The Lakers and the Knicks were dear to him because his nephew, James "Jim" Cleamons played at one point for each team.  His nephew "Jim" later went on to become an assistant coach of the Lakers. George moved to Richmond, Virginia and gained employment with the Division of Vital Records Department. He loved his job and was so loved by the staff and visitors, May 1st was designated as George Cleamons Day at the Division of Vital Records. Also, while working at Vital Records he met Pastor Alma Manuel and began attending her church.  He loved Pastor Manual and her husband Pastor Linwood Manuel.  He referred to Pastor Linwood as his son.  George, a very private person, loved his family, was a joy to be around and was always willing to help wherever he was needed. In talking with his niece, Eleanor just a couple of hours before his passing, he wanted to make sure everyone knew how much he loved them. He also told Pastor Manuel he was ready to go to which ever home the Lord deemed so.  George, a father, uncle, and friend will be greatly missed. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his granddaughter Sidney; sister, Mildred Sims and his brothers, James Cleamons and Richard (Vivian) Waddell. He is survived by: his son, Mark Irwin Jackson of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Orion, Christopher, Nhachur and Grace; his nieces, Patricia A. Waddell, Eleanor M. Waddell, and Carolyn Waddell Mack all of Wilmington NC and Atty. Gwendolyn Waddell Burrell (Gary) of Orlando, FL; his nephews, James "Jim" Cleamons (Cheryl) of Columbus, OH, and Richard B. Waddell, III of Wilmington, NC; other relatives and friends, including Nora Jackson of Fort Washington, MD, Pastor Linwood (Pastor Alma) Manuel of Richmond, VA and Russell Nislow of Brooklyn, NY.

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