The Plains, Fauquier County, and surrounding counties lost a great friend and fine human being with the passing of George Linwood Beavers on April 25, 2011, a few days shy of his 80th birthday. George is remembered for many varied contributions to the life of our community. He was the sole surviving founder member of the Plains Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, founded in 1950. He served at Company 4 until illness overcame his active duty for sixty years of indomitable service, including 24 years as Chief and then later as President. George's service was specially honored in 2010 at the 60th anniversary celebration of The Plains Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company.

George's six decades of unselfish, dedicated and courageous volunteer service reflect on a man who was remembered at his funeral service at the Battlefield Baptist Church on April 28, 2011 for many fine qualities that transcended life in the area from the early 1930s through to our time. George was a devout and kind man who cherished life's finer values of service, loyalty, charity, honor to all men and women, and holding fast to that which is right. Generations of members of Company 4 and Fauquier residents recall George's kindness, willingness to always help, remain uncritical when a little redirection was necessary, and his firm belief in the parable of the talents, that all his colleagues, friends, associates, neighbors and family had individual unique qualities to offer their fellow men and women.

George Beavers gave service above and beyond the call of unpaid volunteer duty. He drove the first fire truck in The Plains to the first ever fire call. A vehicle was on fire in a garage and bullets in the car were detonating. He was there on High Point Mountain to remove two deceased persons from a light aircraft crash, he helped fight the Great Fire in The Plains of 1967 caused by a tractor trailer colliding with a train at the rail road crossing, and in 1975 George led the Company to the scene of the horrific TWA crash on Paris Mountain, where there were no survivors. George went on thousands of calls, such as an auto accident near Selby Bridge on a Saturday afternoon, when the driver was ejected into the water. George removed the driver's body from the water. This was volunteer service of a high order, often performed in hazardous, life threatening situations. Between 1950 and 2010 The Plains Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company made approximately 30,000 fire and rescue calls. George led volunteers to calls that many area residents will remember – responses to downed wires and trees from storms, flooded homes, and the effects of severe weather, such as snow storms. George made the Fire House a refuge for people trapped in bad weather. On one Thanksgiving Eve when route 55 was blocked with deep snow the Company fed over 300 people. George Beavers' steady and resourceful hand at the helm kept our community safe and secure with one of the finest volunteer fire and rescues companies in Virginia. He took Company 4 from its modest beginnings in 1950 to a high tech and awesome organization of the 21st century. A visit to Company 4 quickly reveals the extensive array of modern well equipped vehicles in the bays. Company 4 Volunteers are highly trained dedicated professionals working around the clock seven days a week. George oversaw this growth, and provided the inspiration and leadership. He ensured a sound financial footing, and his deft hand and tactful manner ensured that the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors paid proper attention to the fire and rescue budget while also leading the annual giving drive within the local community. George attended an endless number of meetings, committees, and professional fire and rescue gatherings, all on a volunteer, unremunerated basis.

Many local residents remember George for his recovery business in The Plains. Most can recall being grateful to George for turning out at all times of the day and night to help them with a broken down vehicle or one incapacitated by accident. George made a living from providing a service, but it was different – it was not just business - George's innate goodness shone in the way he ran his business and helped people - always cordial, never given to panic, he had that wonderful twinkle in his eye, the great smile and kind words that reassured, and restored stability, calm, and confidence to the most overwrought driver who was stranded in their vehicle or their vehicle badly damaged. George saw human nature at its best and worst, but he never once faltered in his deep faith in the sanctity of everyone's opportunity in life to come through and do good things. At George's side during these years was a fine woman, wonderful wife, and exemplary mother, Katherine Beavers.

A person's legacy can be in many forms. George and his late wife, Katherine, gave Fauquier County four fine sons, all of whom are treasured members of our community with the sad exception of George junior who is deceased. Joe, Roger and Linwood Beavers are in the wonderful mould of their father and mother, and the community is grateful for what they contribute, with Roger and Joe being Life Members of The Plains Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, with many decades of dedicated service.

George Beavers' passing makes us all reflect on the brevity of life, and that a life fully lived with dedicated service and friendship to one's fellow human beings can bring joy and satisfaction that transcends life's turmoil and travails. George set a benchmark of service and humanity for us all. We will all miss him so much. To his sons and wife Helen our community sends heartfelt condolences, and also the sure and certain knowledge that George lived a full and wonderful life for which we are all so very grateful. Thank you George.