Birth date: Jun 23, 1928 Death date: Jan 4, 2021
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Click to view LivestreamCol. George Arthur Rilling, USMC, age 92 of Lilburn, GA, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 60 years, Barbara Martin Rilling of San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his brother, Lt. Col. David Rilling and wife Nancy & family, his loving wife of 10 years, Daphne G. Rilling; children and spouses, Dr. George Arthur Rilling, III, Dr. Sue Thomas, Charles Irvin Rilling and Laura, Roxann and Mike Hennings; grandchildren, Jesse Daniel Rilling, Robert Arthur Hennings, Jacob Arthur Rilling, James Weldon Hennings, Julie Rilling Jones, Jase Weldon Hennings, and Caden Harrison Hennings. There are many nieces and nephews, and many of Daphne’s family that were enriched by his love.Art Rilling, sometimes called Uncle Junior, was born in San Antonio, Texas. He attended San Marcos College, Trinity University, and the University of Texas. Art was a member of Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, National Buffalo Association, and on boards of several companies. He enjoyed hunting in Texas and Georgia, and being with his family.Col. George Arthur Rilling, USMC was known to his loving family as Super Rilling, Uncle Art, Papa, and Dad. He knew something about everything and a lot about many topics, including the Korean War, WWII, and animals. He was born, and in his heart remained a Texan. When he was young, his grandfather would bring orphaned wild animals to the city of San Antonio. Friends would gather in awe as they viewed native animals that they had never seen. This was the seed that inspired him to start the Stone Mountain/Yellow River Game Ranch, allowing children to experience being up close to animals, from the woods and farms native to Georgia.Before then, he went to San Marcos College and married Barbara Evarine Martin. They were married for 60 years and had 3 children. All of the family worked at the Game Ranch. Education was very important to him. He taught high school and was proud that all three of his children graduated from the University of Georgia.In 1956, the Marine Corps transferred him to that faraway place, Atlanta, Georgia. He worked on many projects, one of which was Toys for Tots. In 1962, Art left active duty, but stayed in the reserves until his retirement in 1979. The Game Ranch was his chosen life. He welcomed school groups, tourists, locals, as well as many nieces, nephews, and local high school students for summer jobs. All received more knowledge than money. The Game Ranch and its animals were used in movies and commercials, including the movie Deliverance and the Today Show. The most famous resident was a Groundhog named General Lee. He was awarded the title of the official weather prognosticator. His predictions were observed by many in this country and several others.In 1983, the Game Ranch was moved to Highway 78, by the Yellow River in Lilburn, Georgia, and became the only tourist attraction in Gwinnett County. Art continued to educated and entertain until his retirement in 2013.Ten years ago, he married Daphne Roos of Suwanee. Together they discovered a second chance at romance. They expanded and joined together loving families. This expanded family now included Daphne’s children (spouses): Binky (Bill), Jim (Liz), Eve (Graham), Michael (Abby), and Daphne (Gene), 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. In their retirement, they enjoyed traveling and each other. He is loved and missed by many.The funeral service to honor and celebrate the life of Col. George Arthur Rilling, USMC will be held on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel. Interment will follow at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens, Snellville, GA. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or Toys for Tots, https://www.toysfortots.org/.You can view the service, which will be livestreamed, either by going to the Tom M. Wages Facebook page or by clicking the blue link, on the obituary page, on our website.Due to the current COVID-19 regulations, our staff is committed to taking care of our guests and families that we serve. Please understand that we will be limiting the amount of people at our chapel for visitations and services. We also ask all guests and family members attending visitations and services to please bring and wear a mask.Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, a family company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.Read Obituary
Arthur was a loving man who embraced us all when he married Aunt Daphne. From all of us in New Jersey May God Bless the Colonel and Keep Him for Eternity. We will miss him.
Roxann, Charlie and Rusty,
Just found out about your father's death. My deepest sympathy to all of you. I pray you find peace and solace in your time of grief. Praying God has comforted you in this time.
I often think of all my Valvedere friends and what an impact living on Valvedere made in my life as a child. Your dad made the Game Ranch feel like it belonged to all of us on
Valvedere. We were one big happy family!! Miss all of you,
Marlyn Yarbrough Darragh
THE PROMOTION
Colonel Art Rilling loved to host a good party. For many years he led a group of friends and relatives on Texas hunting trips and every year during those trips he would throw a party for what he called “the mighty hunters” and all his Texas relatives and friends. Family and friends would even fly in just for the party.
If you were around the Colonel, you were inspired to be your best. In hunting camp, the Colonel assigned me the lowly rank of private first class, but I sometimes tried to endear myself to him in hopes of being promoted. Nothing I did seemed to get his attention, at least in a positive way until the 2019 Texas hunting trip . At the party, I observed the head table from afar, where the Colonel entertained powerful Texans , high ranking hunters and cognitive luminaries . Then the famous hunter Rick Morris made the mistake of temporarily excusing himself from the table. I swooped in , and found myself, a private, seated at the head table within earshot of the Colonel and directly beside the Major of Bulverde, Texas, Jane Wood, who loved to discuss world events, and did so with grace and clarity. I could tell the Colonel was trying to eavesdrop on our conversation in between guests vying for the attention of himself and his charming wife Daphne. It was a crowded and noisy room and I wasn’t sure the Colonel could hear how well I was conducting myself as a new member of the head table, and thus a candidate for promotion to a higher rank. I was certain the Colonel had seen me steal Rick’s seat, but did that act not demonstrate initiative ?
My conversation with Jane had become less political and more philosophical . She asked me what sort of advice my parents had given me growing up. I told her my father once told me , “every person you meet is your superior in some way “ . I noticed immediately after I spoke the word “superior”, the colonel had, through all the noise and distractions in the room, locked on to what I, a private, had to say. Jane sensed this as well and we looked over at him in all his glory, the ever present twinkle of mischief in his eye, sporty Texas attire , completed with a bolo tie. It was then that I turned back to Jane, gestured toward the Colonel and said , “some men I meet are my superior in EVERY way”.
The Colonel surely heard it because later that night, in a private moment, he promoted me to Corporal and then with that twinkle in his eye said “you know higher ranking officers take on more responsibilities “ . He then handed me the head tables’ bar bill !
I was granted the good fortune of knowing the Colonel because his son Rus married my sister Sue. I’m one of many who were inspired by his quick, often instructive wit, his determination to do a lot, for a long time and most importantly, to have fun along the way !
Scott Thomas, Corporal , Art Rilling Admiration Corp
I first met the “Colonel” in the fall of 1979. Roxann brought me home with her to visit. We drove her little Toyota Corolla from Greensboro, NC, weighted down with cases of...... Dinner that first night was a delicious stew. I couldn’t quite identify the meat. Colonel Rilling laughed, and his wife Barbara told me that it was probably best if I not know. What a wonderful example of a life well-lived!
Uncle Art will be so missed. No one else gave hugs like his - you could feel how much he loved you in one of those hugs, no words even needed. I’ll miss those. Sending love to our family and missing being there with everyone to celebrate such a wonderful man’s life.
In memory of Art Rilling
I had the pleasure of growing up next door to Art and his family. Art was always bringing home animals and he always took the time to teach the neighborhood kids about each animal and answer any of our questions. I have too many fabulous memories of Art and his family, all the animals, both Stone Mountain Game Ranch and Yellow River Game Ranch, and Panther Creek. The world lost a great man, father and mentor this week.
R.I.P. Art and God bless!
Mark (and Mary) Rhea
Thanks for sharing. I miss the Valvedere croud. Call me. Roxann Hennings
The Colonel would visit the Evermore Community Improvement District Office frequently to discuss developments and activities within the District. He never lost interest in his community and his friends.
The Colonel will leave a void in the fabric of our community.
Sempi FI, Marine
Jim Brooks, Evermore CID
