George Meares Obituary

On Thursday evening, June 30, 2022, George Arthur Meares, Jr., loving husband and father of two, passed away peacefully in his Folly Beach home, at the age of 87.

George was born December 6, 1934 in Greer, South Carolina to George Arthur and Mary Miller Meares. He was raised in Anderson, Hickory Grove, and Spartanburg, SC. He attended Wofford College, afterwards marrying the love of his life, Sandra Childers, with whom he raised his daughter Desree and son, George III (also known as "Trippy.")

George was a true Renaissance Man. After a brief stint in the Army, he became a programmer in the late 50s-before anyone had even heard of computers. Although he loved algorithms and logical thinking, he was not a fan of the corporate world, so he dabbled in screen printing, real estate and eventually sustainable construction.

The world was not quite ready for his innovative thinking, so in 1978, he opened the bar, Group Therapy in Columbia, South Carolina. It was his claim to fame, where he created a "group family" with values based on breaking down barriers, good times and inclusivity; he was a man ahead of his time.

These virtues were instilled in him by his grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Neely Miller. George lived with them in Hickory Grove, South Carolina during the formative years of his life. His grandfather was a small town country doctor, so he grew up listening to his parents discuss the intimate details of everyone in town, with a unique sense of humor, compassion and respect.

George rolled through life understanding on a deep level that we humans are all flawed. He was loved by many, and for decades mentored young men and women with his knowledge of business, woodworking, and human relations. In the late 90s, he retired to Folly Beach with his beloved wife, where he took up stock trading as his sixth career. He is resting in peace, even though those of us left behind are missing him terribly.

A private family service will be held in his honor; friends are encouraged to attend a ceremony Sunday, July 10th from 4-7pm at Group Therapy in Five Points, Columbia.