George Thomas Zirps

AIKEN, SC- GEORGE THOMAS ZIRPS, 89, beloved husband of 64 years to Barbara Fay Skinner Zirps, passed peacefully away, early December 14, 2021, at Anchor Post-Acute Care in Aiken, SC. George succumbed to a long illness.

     Born in Nyack, New York, he was the son of the late Thomas and Anna Kirtsopoulos Zirps. George was passionate about many things including his faith, family, engineering, cats, Aiken, his country, and Gunsmoke.

     George proudly served in the navy and attained the rank of Captain. He loved his time at sea and served in the reserves for many years. 

     George had an illustrious career he enjoyed as a professional marine engineer – a career that took him around the world. But he was happiest at home with Barbara and his family. In retirement they greatly enjoyed volunteering at ACTS. At ACTS he rehabilitated used computers and also took care of the organization’s cats. George and Barbara were also very active at their church, Saint John’s United Methodist Church, where he and Barbara especially enjoyed praying for others and assisting with the annual Apple Fest.

     George enjoyed a wonderful relationship with his older sister Fotena Lusk and his older brother Christos Zirps. They spoke on the phone often and visited when they were able.

     People who knew George always commented on his deep faith and his great sense of humor. He was delighted to finish his engineering career at the Savannah River Site and to live in South Carolina. Even throughout his illness he spoke all the time of being better and taking his wife to brunch at the Aiken Waffle House.

     George is survived by his wife, Barbara; his dearly loved children, Fotena and Thomas; and their cat Chicklet (Kit). He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Nora Zirps, Debra Sherman Zirps, Christopher Zirps, Jehanne Beaton Zirps, Thomas Zirps, Maria Williams, and Amy Lusk Martinetti.

     George was preceded in death by his parents, his cousins George Ploussios and Despina Patsoulakis, his mother-in-law Ruth Smith, his brother-in-law Donald Lusk, and his sister-in-law Christina Williams. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to:

ACTS (Area Churches Together in Service)

https://actsofaiken.org

340 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801

803-642-5919

The Leon County Humane Society (LCHS)

https://www.leoncountyhumane.org

413 Timberlane Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32312  

850-224-9193

     A celebration of life service will be announced at a later time.

Assisting the family is SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL, 715 EAST PINE LOG ROAD., AIKEN, SC 29803