George Usry, a longtime general manager at Athens, Tenn., UB, passed away Feb. 10 in Clemson, S.C.
Usry was named to the top job at Athens UB in 1972 and served in that capacity for 28 years, retiring in 2000. According to his successor, current Athens UB GM Eric Newberry, Usry “won many accolades and awards during his tenure here, both professionally and for his community service.”
Usry earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Clemson University. He put in eight years at two utilities in the Carolinas before joining the staff at Bristol, TN, ES in 1969. He stayed there for three years before taking over at Athens UB.
A native of Waycross, Ga., Usry’s high-school football exploits earned him a place in the Waycross/Ware Co. Sports Hall of Fame. Later, at Clemson, he started 32 straight games, including two bowl games, for legendary coach Frank Howard. At the end of his senior year, Usry played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game in Montgomery, Ala. After retiring, he made his home in Clemson.