George Wallen Obituary

George Sykes Wallen CLERMONT, FL - Happy Trails to You, George Sykes Wallen. Our friend, brother, husband and son passed away on Friday, July 27, 2012, in Clermont, Florida. George was born on January 30, 1938 in West Palm Beach, Florida. His amazing parents, Anne and Gunny Wallen, were long-time ranchers on Wadmalaw Island. He was formally educated at Porter Military Academy, Phelps Academy, attended The Citadel, and served in the United States Air Force. His most important education, however, came from working his parents' ranch, Selkirk Plantation, after his father died. When he returned to the family farm he assisted his mother raising and breeding championship Quarter Horses and Santa Gertrudis cattle. George was a man of action. He loved to dance and raced sports cars. Later in life he competed and won on a national level Cutting Horse competitions all over the southeastern U.S. George was a founding member of the Augusta Cutting Horse Futurity and had been actively serving as vice president since 1992. In 2011 George was voted into the coveted ACCHA Hall of Fame. George found his perfect match and life mate in Freddie Adams of Folly Beach. They were happily married for 18 1/2 years. Freddie was a long time veterinarian assistant and is an exceptional equestrian who shared George's love of all animals. They have one four footed child, "Shorty," a palomino quarter horse with a Wallen blue eye. Shorty is the last surviving member from the Selkirk bloodline. George is survived by his wife, his younger brother Gump of Charleston, and younger sister, Anne Adair of Merritt Island. FL. He was totally adored by his three nephews, Gunny, Nat and Michael Wallen, and will be sorely missed. George's lightning wit, relentless sense of humor, and his unabashed twinkle were his signature traits. All who knew and loved him will feel a huge hole where this "cowboy once walked". Ride on, George, via con Dios. It was an honor to have had you in our midst!! A celebration of George's life will be held in Charleston to be announced a week to ten days before the event. Anyone wishing to send a gift in George's name can send it to The Heritage Foundation in Washington, DC, or Augusta Futurity Youth Scholarship Fund. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston