George Bazil Pakish, 76, of Tiptonville, died Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 at the Regional Hospital in Jackson.

He was captain and pilot for Western Kentucky Navigation, worked as a pilot on the river for 60 years and was a member of Abundant Life Fellowship Church.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Abundant Life Fellowship Church in Ridgely with Bro. David Gray officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

The family will receive visitors at 5:30-9 p.m. today at the church.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Gooch Pakish of Tiptonville; a daughter, Fran Baker and husband, Bob, of Donora, Pa.; two stepdaughters, Monica Shull and husband, Bob, and Monette Perkins; a son, Joseph Pakish and wife, Christy, of Monessen, Pa.; two stepsons, Ken Hickman and wife, Judy, of Dyersburg, and Pete Miller and wife, Kay; a sister, Irene Glass of Pennsylvania; and three grandchildren, Jacob Baker, Bobby Baker and Tyler Pakish.

He was preceded in death by a son, George Pakish Jr.; his parents, John and Mary Pakish; two sisters, Jean Vuknie and Mary Wydratt; and five brothers, Ed Pakish, Bo Pakish, John Pakish, Joe Pakish and Harry Pakish.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jacob Bauer, Bobby Bauer, Joseph Pakish, Eddie Vuknie, O.V. Fowler, Lyman Rhodes, John David Arnold, John Perkins, Jason Perkins, Norman Rhodes, Dave Dewey, Bob Shull and Ken Hickman.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to the Abundant Life Fellowship Church youth program or Life Beat in Wynnburg.