Back When God Spoke

George Clayton Bethel was born March 11, 1931, in Miami, Florida. Like his mom Clara and dad George, he made it through the Depression years fairly normal. He was a Boy Scout and avid reader during the WWII years and developed a lifelong interest in the sciences, especially chemistry. Just before graduating high school he met his wife to be and life began in earnest. His interests fanned out like spilled coffee. His life was really diverse and he wore many hats and titles. Here are a few:


He sang for and led his own band, “The Men of Note”. He played in the University of Miami band and orchestra. He was a sign painter and illustrator. He was an electrician for forty years. He became a master gem cutter, teaching at the Museum of Science and Natural History in Miami where he was on the Board of Trustees.


He was a successful prospector, discovering uranium and gold. He taught classes and lectured at many schools and clubs. He studied and earned the worldwide coveted diploma of the Gemological Association of Great Britain and was named a Fellow, publishing several papers for them. He owned and operated Southern Gem Services in Miami, FL, and Chattanooga, TN, a completely equipped gem testing lab and gem cutting shop. He was twice president of the Chattanooga Association of Gemologists. His name was followed by G.G., F.G.A.


Sounds busy, doesn’t it? He did, however, find time to do a lot of oil painting with his wife Dot, a much better painter. They painted in the Florida Everglades, Colorado, anywhere they found themselves.


Always craving adventure and the wilderness, he loved hunting, never afraid of man or beast. Well, almost never. There was once this really overgrown bear in Colorado and that Quaker man on the oatmeal box who both looked pretty ominous to him!


Now at 86, most of the adventure is behind him. His time is spent mostly remembering his miraculously great life with Dot and waiting patiently to hear that “Voice” say, “It’s time for the next chapter – with your Lord.”