George Linville bounces back
Many of you know George Linville of George Linville Realty as an auctioneer, big patriot, speaker and more. I know him as a friend. He has been my biggest cheerleader since I started working for Realty/Builder Connection and I cannot run into him without getting a huge hug and hearing his comments on my latest stories, which are always positive and insightful.
At 80 years of age, Linville is sharp as a tack and still going strong despite some recent health problems.
Linville had heart surgery 20 years ago which included six bypasses.
“From that point on, I was pretty much doing everything I wanted to do,” he said.
Within the last five years, he had to have several stents put in to keep his heart working properly.
He developed an infection in his aorta stent about five months ago.
“The doctors said it was really serious,” said Linville. “In order to take out the infected stent, they had to pick up blood from both legs and insert plastic tubing to do a bypass into my legs. It was a really difficult process. From that point on, I sort of went off the radar screen. The doctors said it had about 70/30 chance of this working. They told me no driving and that I had to be very quiet.”
Linville at his desk with his NEFAR Presidential Lifetime Service award.
Anyone who knows Linville, knows that is a feat in itself.
He’s still in recovery, but is getting stronger everyday.
He said at the recent NEFAR old-timer’s event, many of his associates signed a huge Mickey Mouse get well card and had it delivered to him at his home.
Is Linville still working?
Oh, yes.
“What I have been able to do is to use this cell phone, Joanne (his wife), and my son to help me very successfully continue operating my rental properties, which is what I do,” he said. “I’m full really. I had one renter move out and we’re in the process of fixing it up. From my point of view, business is great.”
Linville has always been generous. He’s generous with his time, his “stuff” and his heart.
He is a collector who enjoys visiting estate sales for whatever treasure he comes across. His office is filled with a multitude of knick-knacks, crystal collectibles, patriotic symbols and such. When you visit him, you will be sure to walk away with a prize.
He has an assistant who helps him and his wife with daily duties. His assistant faced a very serious car accident about a year ago, but like George, she is forging on.
“With her experience in accounting and her general overall brightness, we kind of inspire each other,” said Linville. “She is one of the brightest people I’ve ever known. We inspire each other and encourage each other.”
Be sure of this. Linville is a fighter and he will be just fine and you should see him out and about very soon.
“I accept what happens in my life and in the life of others as the way it’s supposed to be,” said Linville. “You just can’t try to change things. All of my prayers are ‘Thank you, Lord, for everything. If you are praying thank you for everything every day, then every day is Thanksgiving Day.”
Karen Kelley
Remembering Karen Kelley
The sudden death of Karen Kelley, the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors member services coordinator, evokes many sad feelings in all of us.
Kelley was an employee of NEFAR for more than 11 years, first serving as Southwest area manager in the NEFAR Southwest Service Center prior to transferring to the member services coordinator position at NEFAR’s main office.
Kelley was so helpful to me when I started working with Realty/Builder Connection. She was awesome to sit with and chat about the members that stood out to her. I can only smile when I think of her and her bright personality. She was beautiful, funny and interesting to talk with.
I found many a story just chatting with her. She’d even let me use her office to do interviews if a Realtor/loan officer didn’t have an office of their own. I looked forward to visiting with her at least once a month and was sad when she moved to the main NEFAR office, but I understood how valuable she was to them and that her services would be used better at the main office.
Karen was a special person.