Mr. George Henry Brink, Sr.

Brink, George Henry - age 87, passed away at his home in Fountain City, on Monday, March 19, 2012 with his family by his side. A member of the greatest generation, he was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served his country in the south Pacific during World War II. After the war, George attended Auburn University and the University of Tennessee earning a degree in Food Science Technology. With $7,500, borrowed from Julian Morton, President of The H.T. Hackney Company and lots of help from R.O. Jenkins, President of Pet Dairy Company, George established Brink's Inc. in 1955 to distribute equipment and supplies to the dairy and ice cream industries. Brink's Inc. quickly grew to provide engineering, sales and service in the food, dairy and beverage industries. At its peak, the company employed 52 people and never had a losing quarter during his 30 years as President. Without a doubt, George's professional passion was attending plant auctions where he would buy, and then sell individual pieces of used equipment or entire food processing plants. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Knoxville for more than 50 years. George was a compassionate man of unwavering faith, and a mentor to many. In addition to caring for his sweet little mother as long as she lived, he was a loving husband and father and acquired many friendships that lasted throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Alice O'Hearn Brink, mother, Annie Beckman Brink, father John Maurice Brink, brother, William Brink, sisters, Mildred Taylor and Dorothy Thorton. To cherish his memory and celebrate the wonderful life they shared, he leaves behind his loving wife, Orpha Leitch Brink, nine devoted children, George Henry (Hank) Brink, Jr. and wife Lois of Roswell, GA, John Arthur Brink and wife Colleen of Alpharetta, GA, Michael Julian Brink and wife Deborah of Atlanta, GA, James Edward Brink and wife Carole of Marietta, GA, Kathleen O'Hearn Bullock and husband William of Knoxville, David Aaron Brink and wife Julie of Louisville, KY, Stephen Paul Brink and wife Patricia of Nashville, TN, Barbara Anne Ambrose and husband John of Nashville, TN, and Gregory Charles Brink of Dallas, TX, step-sons Gregory Leitch and wife Valerie of Tyler, TX and Britton Leitch and wife Robyn of Knoxville. His legacy includes twenty-two grandchildren: Mary Alice King and husband Seth, Stephen and wife Elizabeth, Joseph, Katherine, Nathan, Jeffery, Erin, Nicholas, Edward, Claire, Laura, Will, George, Aaron, Emma, Sally, Alex, Grace, Ellie, Kathleen, Margaret and Jack. He had one great-grandchild, John Samuel King. The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Rose, Dr. John Dougherty, Dr. Don Henson, Dr. Lee McDaniel, Dr. Todd McMillian and their staff who helped Mr. Brink maintain reasonably good health throughout his long life. The family would also like to thank Mr. Brink's weekday caregivers, Nancy Cooper and Lisa Adams and for Hospice during his final days. Friends will be welcomed on Thursday from 5:00 – 8:00 pm followed by the Rosary at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Ghost Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 23 with Reverend Monsignor Xavier Mankel officiating. Family and friends will then travel to Greenwood Cemetery for the entombment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Ghost Church, St. Joseph Special Building Fund, 111 Hinton Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917, or Ellie's Race for Africa, PO Box 150915, Nashville, TN 37215, (www.elliesrun.org). Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. George led a loving, full and accomplished life and will always be missed. 'Til we see you in heaven.