George L. Cash Jr.

George L. Cash Jr., 88, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Mercy Southeast Hospital. He was born on May 11, 1937, in Mt. Vernon, IL, son of George Leo Cash and Bertha Aline Cash. He and Vickie Sams Jones were married on May 19, 1990, in Cape Girardeau. He attended Mt. Vernon High School but prior to his senior year, in 1954, with his parents' permission, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He later earned his GED and his AA degree from Belleville Area College. While serving in USMC he was stationed at Camp Lejeune and Camp Geiger, N.C., Vieques Island, Puerto Rico and The Azores of Portugal and was honorably discharged in 1957. Three months after leaving the USMC, George enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served at Blytheville AFB, AR, Scott AFB, IL, Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson AZ and Francis E Warren AFB in Cheyenne WY. While serving in Tucson, he was a missile system analyst and worked at five of the nine missile sites at that base. During testing at Sheppard AFB, TX, George was selected to be on an elite 4-man Titan II missile launch crew. The highlight of his career was working with the Titan II missiles and that his team won the competition in 1968, 1969, and 1970 at Vandenberg AFB, CA. George retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a Tech Sgt with 20 full years of service. Following his military career, George began a new career as retail store manager. He began working at S. G. Adams, which was a stationary store in St. Louis MO. He then was a store manger for Central Hardware for 18 ½ years, working in several St. Louis locations and from 1992 to 1993 at the Cape Girardeau Central Hardware. George was a store manager at Scotty's Hardware in Ft. Myers FL and Cape Coral FL from 1996 to 1998. He was hired as assistant store manager at Buchheit, Sparta IL in September 1998 and two years later was promoted to General Store Manager of Buchheit, Jacksonville IL. He retired from Buchheit with 10 years of service. Being a man who truly liked to work, George was hired by Schnucks in Cape Girardeau as a carryout/bagger position. Wherever he worked, George always enjoyed getting to know both his employees and his customers. He was always focused on customer service and developing staff to their highest potential. For seven years, Tuesday night season tickets to the St. Louis Muny for George, Vickie, George's sister, Linda and sometimes Vickie's mother were always so much fun. He also enjoyed watching the hummingbirds and bluebirds. He and Vickie loved the time they spent in Naples FL and Sanibel Island FL. George served as a board member of the Jacksonville IL Habitat for Humanity and was also on the board of Crimestoppers of Morgan-Scott Counties in Illinois. He was also chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville IL. George was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church and the Sonlight Encouragers class. He loved the Lord and had many occasions throughout his career to witness to others. His ability to witness decreased through the years due to health problems. Survivors include his wife, Vickie Cash; and his three children, Teresa Sobolewski, Carl (Jodi) Cash, and Linda Cash; Stepson, Brian (Amy) Sams; 12 grandchildren, Valerie, Vanessa, Brandon M (Megan) Cash, Brandon L, Angela, Raymond, Sam, Toby (Alyssia) Cash, and Sierra (Blake Gaddis) Sams. Grandchildren in Germany are Natasha, Angela and Priscilla; four nieces and nephews, Laura Herrington, James (Cindy) Miller, Sharon Reinheimer and Michael Cash; sister-in-law, Sharon Warren, and several great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, John L. Cash; daughter, Rea Porter; brother, Bill Cash; granddaughter, Priscilla Marciniak; sister-in-law, Bonnie Cash; brothers-in-law, Jerry Trivisonno and J. D. Warren; and nephew, John Cash. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 22 at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Funeral will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, March 23 at the funeral home with Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Pallbearers will be Brandon M. Cash, James Miller, Aaron Miller, Brian Sams and Blake Gaddis. Memorial contributions may be given to Lynwood Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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George L. Cash Jr.

May 11, 1937 - March 14, 2026