George Donald Dezell of St. Johnsbury died Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 the age of 86. George, the son of Carroll and Rose Dezell, was born in Cobelskill, N.Y. on March 13, 1927. He was proud of his military service. Upon graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1944, George joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific for the duration of World War II. His military service continued after the war, joining the Army Reserve where he was a drill instructor until his knees forced him to retire. George retired from the U.S. Postal Service where he worked for over 20 years. He married Elsie H. McKee in 1951 and had two sons, Craig and Eric. Fondly remembered as 'Diz' and 'Yogi', he would always introduce himself and is best remembered as just 'George.' Sports were George's life. He was an excellent and talented athlete and was best remembered for playing basketball with the legendary "Whiz Kids," a town team out of St. Johnsbury at the time when town team basketball was huge throughout the state. I was always impressed and proud when I traveled the four corners of the state of the number of people who knew and remembered George for his excellence on the basketball court. George gave back to his community through his years of coaching youth sports in the Little League and Babe Ruth baseball programs and the Rotary basketball program. He was superb at coaching fundamentals; he could teach in such a way where youth would understand and succeed. He would gladly take the time to help any youngster. He coached sports where you gave 100% all the time, not for yourself, but for 'The Team.' George was all about teamwork and just loved the camaraderie of sports. Dad especially loved his mother's side of his family, the Italian side. Family get-togethers in Albany, New York were special; he even understood some Italian. George had an extended family; he had a strong and loving connection with the Handy clan; Sam and George were quite the duo! He had a slew of adoptive sons: Reed, Guyer, Verge, and Finn and none closer or more caring than Jerry Williams. He followed their families with great affection and would faithfully attend their kids' sporting events. George was most loving of his two sons and their families, as usual never missing a sporting event be it high school or college. He was a generous father who gave encouraging and supportive words and would always be there when needed. He is survived by his two sons Eric and Craig and his grandchildren Erin, Gunnar, and Becket. Friends and family will gather at the Sayles Funeral Home this Friday evening, Sept. 20 from 6-8 p.m. Services will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home this Saturday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert H. Sargent officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Memorial contributions could be directed to either: St. Johnsbury Kiwanis Pool, PO Box 204, St. Johnsbury VT 05819; or to St. Johnsbury Baseball, PO Box 421, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.