Dawayne George

Dawayne George, 63 of Ozark, Arkansas, left this world on Friday, September 12, 2025 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born March 28, 1962 in Springdale, Arkansas to Leonard Eugene George and Velma Jean Sheppard George. Dawayne grew up in Ozark and attended both Springdale and Ozark schools but was an Ozark Hillbilly at heart. Dawayne was one of the good ol’boys – no fancy fuss, no drama, just a big heart, a bass guitar, and a story for every road he traveled. He began making music with his mom, dad, and brother, Randall, as part of the Glory Road Singers in the early 1970’s, playing on one of their first albums before he hit double digits. Through the years, he performed with many acts, including David Frizzell, and spend much of the 1990’s and 2000’s at the Ozark Mountain Hoe-Down, which he, Randall, and their father purchased in 2001. In 2010 the George Brothers took their music back on the road, touring Texas and the Midwest with original songs, radio appearances, and fan base that quickly became family. They were nominated to the Texas country Music Hall of Fame and honored with “George Brothers Day” in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Dawayne was nominated three times for the Arkansas CMA Bass Player of the Year and proudly took home the title in 2020. Even a few days before his passing, he could be found in his chair with a bass in his hand. Dawayne loved classic cars, riding Harleys, playing the slots, and never turned down biscuits and gravy, beans and fried potatoes, or a chocolate milkshake. His breakfast of choice was a honey bun with a cold Coke. Friends remember him not only as one of the best bass players around but also as one of the kindest, most generous men they’d ever met. He gave back through countless benefit shows for friends, family, veterans, and the Shop with a Cop Christmas program. Dawayne was welcomed into heaven by his mom, Velma Jean George, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many friends and family that we know he was so excited to see again. He is survived by his dad, Leonard George and stepmother Lucy George, the love of his life; his daughter, Brittany West and her husband Justin, his grandchildren that he adored Kennedy Tedford and Bentley West, his brother Randall George and long time partner Leslie Wright, and the nieces and nephews he loved: Randalyn Hatley, Kaylie Husser, Nash Wright, and Zane Wright. Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Shaffer Funeral Home, 2315 West Commercial Street in Ozark. A private family graveside will be set for a later date. Serving as pallbearers will be Bentley West, Justin West, John Woolsey, Don Martin, Blake Fougerousse, and Rick Hill. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Kennedy Tedford, Sarah Edwards, Carla Easom, Doris Mantooth, Susan Patterson, Lorrie Davis, Cathy Moody, and all his pickin’ buddies and ridin’ buddies throughout the years. *In lieu of flowers, Dawayne would want you to throw a twenty in the slot machine and raise a glass – or a chocolate shake – in his honor. To leave an online memorial visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Dawayne George

March 28, 1962 - September 12, 2025