George Carlo Piazza

George Carlo Piazza

April 8, 1947 - May 6, 2025

George Carlo Piazza, 78, of Bastrop, Texas, passed away on May 6, 2025. A man of solid integrity and quiet strength, George provided the foundation upon which his family built their lives.

George was born in Port Arthur, Texas on April 8, 1947, to Carlo Piazza and Billie Ruth Mahan Ogle. He graduated from Bishop Byrne High School in 1965, where he served as student class president. He was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his Bachelor of Science in Government from Lamar Tech in 1969 and his law degree from the University of Houston Law School in 1973. George was accepted into the Air Force Academy but was granted permission to leave to attend law school during the Vietnam War draft.

On September 6, 1969, George married the love of his life, Linda Dianne Hodges. Their 55-year marriage was a testament to his steadfast loyalty and commitment. Together they built a life for themselves and their children in various Texas communities, including Port Arthur, Longview, Houston, and Coppell, before settling in Bastrop for the past 18 years where they have been beloved members of their neighborhood and community.

George had a distinguished legal career, serving as assistant city attorney for Port Arthur and later as Vice-President/General Counsel for Mid-South Bottling Company and Pioneer USA, Inc. He approached his work with the same integrity and solid decision-making that characterized his personal life.

As a man who showed his love through actions more than words, George was the family problem-solver. If you needed an answer or faced a challenge, he was the man to call. If the family was out of eggs, he was headed to the store before the refrigerator door closed. If the car broke down, if the garage door broke, if a tree limb fell, if a grand-pet was sick, he was on his way. Always.

With his distinctive cowboy hat, belt buckle, and boots, George’s style was affectionately described as "Cowboy Papa George" by his grandchildren. In his younger years, some claimed a resemblance to Elvis. George had a playful side that brought joy to those around him. He loved his toys—bow and arrow, RC airplanes, knife collection, telescope, and in his later years, the tricycle with its bright orange safety flag that became a familiar sight in the neighborhood. He enjoyed folk country music and scary movies. It was a grandchild rite of passage to watch “Jaws” with Papa George.

George had a special bond with his dogs throughout his life. From Duke to Brooke, Chance, JR, Nacho, and Zoey, his dedication to his pups was, like everything else in his life, complete and unwavering.

George is survived by his wife, Linda; daughters Laura Piazza Irani (Ted) and Tricia Marie Smith (Kenny); grandchildren Jill Bunselmeyer and Emmi Luedecke and Vincent, Corinne, and Josie Irani; brother Bill Piazza (Brenda); and his beloved dog, Zoey. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at Providence Funeral Home in Bastrop on May 17, 2025, at 2 p.m.

George Carlo Piazza will be remembered as an honorable husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend, and neighbor who took care to make the right decisions and encouraged others to do the same. His legacy of loyalty, steadfastness, and integrity lives on in those who were fortunate enough to know and love him.