George Barry Mettler

George Barry Mettler died peacefully on January 6th, 2020 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 85.

George is survived by his sons JD (Oregon) & Sean (North Carolina). He is preceded in death by his parents John & Velma Grace, & wife Darlene.

George was born on May 18th, 1934 in Tampa, Florida to John & Velma Grace Mettler. He graduated Tampa Jesuit High School in 1952, going to New Orleans on a basketball scholarship, meeting many noteworthy sports figures, musicians, politicians, & social luminaries of the time. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University, he served in the Army, & left with an honorable discharge as a 1st Lt.

He later received a Juris Doctor from Stetson University’s College of Law, & was accepted into the Federal Bureau of Investigation, becoming a Special Agent under then Att. Gen. Robert Kennedy’s Organized Crime Division.

After retiring from law enforcement, George spent time as a newspaper owner/editor/reporter in the Cayman Islands, later returning to Tampa as a criminal defense attorney, where he met his eventual wife Darlene at a cocktail party.

After selling his first successful novel, they traveled much of Mexico, Europe, & Great Britain together, eventually moving back to the U.S., & splitting time between Tampa & his family property & home in Forsyth, Georgia. George & Darlene raised their 2 sons as she became the head of the English Department of Wesleyan College & he authored a criminal investigation text-book, 9 novels, & a memoir.

After Darlene passed away in 2008, George continued to travel to the places they loved— again seeing Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, San Fransisco, & fulfilling her wishes by scattering her ashes into The River Thames in London. He retired to Eugene, Oregon in 2012.

His family & friends remember his charm, wit, intellect, appreciation of art, literature, classical music & a good martini, his desire to tell a good story, & his love for those same family & friends.

George was also an accomplished oil painter, & was often exhibited in art galleries from Atlanta to Key West, Charlotte, Tampa, Key West, New Orleans, Chicago, LA, England, Spain, France, & possibly the Lost Continent.

He was an extremely knowledgeable & passionate JFK assassination historian, & 2 of his books dealt with the subject.

All who knew George well, know he wished to have no part of a funeral service. As promised him— his ashes will be added to Darlene’s— scattered into The Thames. He asked for those who wish, to raise a glass in toast, & tell a good story about times with him. In lieu of flowers, any donations should be sent to the Alzheimer’s &/or cancer research program of your choice. Condolences can be sent to any cancer &/or Alzheimer’s organization of your choice.

The family would like to thank The Hotel Eugene, The Prestige at Orchard Heights in West Salem, & the doctors, nurses, caregivers, & staff who did so much for him since coming to Oregon. The family also thanks all who have known him & shared time with him throughout his life— he was more interesting for having known you all.   No Services will be held at this time.