George Frederick Cowperthwaite, Jr.

George Frederick Cowperthwaite, Jr., 79, of Parkesburg, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 28th, 2019 under the care of Brandywine Hospital.  He is the beloved husband of Judith Elizabeth (Thomas) Cowperthwaite. 

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, George was the son of the late Dorothy Elaine (Free) and George F. Cowperthwaite, Sr.

At an early age, he showed an interest in science such as sending interesting aromas through the circulating system of his high school and spreading crystals on the floor which made strange sounds when one walked on them.  He was active in several service organizations as a young man, including scouting and the West Branch Christian Endeavor. He spent many long nights on the roof of the Walnut Plaza Hotel as a Civil Air Patrol cadet watching for foreign aircraft.  This activity won him recognition from the mayor of Philadelphia. In his spare time during his high school years, he and a few of his friends ran a print shop -- causing much consternation in the neighborhood when they hung the money from one boy's wet wallet to dry in the shop window.  

George graduated from Bartram High School, studied at Eastern Baptist College, and obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from Drexel University.

As is often the case, George made several career decisions before he settled on the right one.  While attending Eastern College, he made two important choices: he chose chemistry as his career and Judith Thomas as his wife.  

He retired as president of the Esstech division of Justi Corp. in 2000. After retirement he taught math and science at Lanchester Christian School where he also served as business manager for a time. He spent his second set of retirement years leading a Bible study for area seniors, and tutoring many homeschoolers in math and science.

Throughout his years he remained active in church and community.  He's actively served in board positions in several area churches. He enjoyed sharing his love for the Lord and serving others both near, through his teaching ministry at the former Grace Bible Institute in Coatesville, and far, through several missions trips overseas to Honduras and to South Africa.

His hobbies included gardening, genealogy, reading long, boring books such as biographies, and model railroading.

George is survived, in addition to his wife, by his four children: Thomas (wife Lynn), Dorothy Butler (husband Robert), Timothy (Alicia Mauer), and Patricia Staus (husband Clarke); seven grandchildren: Samantha (husband Travis), Phylicia, Zachary (wife Anastasia), Bobby, Kyleigh, Cannon, and Josh ; and two great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Jaxon.

The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 5th at 11 AM at Highland Baptist Church, 1 E Highland Rd, Parkesburg, PA 19365, with a viewing from 9:30 until 11 AM.  The interment will be held at 3 PM at East Brandywine Baptist Cemetery on the same day.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to in George’s name to: The Building Fund of Highland Baptist Church, Parkesburg, PA.  Or, Bethesda Outreach Ministries, a ministry to orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa https://pushpay.com/g/bethesdaoutreach?src=hpp , Bethesda Outreach Ministry Int’l, PO 2333, West Lafayette, IN 47996. Please make checks payable to Bethesda Outreach Ministries International and include a note that the gift is in memory of George

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg.  Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com