Dr. George G. Yorke

Dr. George Gerard Stanislaus Yorke was born on January 25, 1949, to Solomon and Mary Yorke in Georgetown, Guyana. The sixth of his parent's eight children, George attended Chatham High School and demonstrated exceptional academic ability early on. By 14, he had successfully completed his GCE O-Levels and A-Levels examinations, a rare accom-plishment. Eager to work, his father had to enlist the support of Guyana’s Prime Minister to ensure that the talented George could obtain work because he was so young. George’s brilliance and self-determination would become hallmarks of his more than 40+ year ca-reer as a distinguished university professor, published writer, consultant, and community leader.

George immigrated to the United States from Guyana and attended Howard University in 1968. He thrived socially and intellectually surrounded by a hardworking, tight-knit group of Guyanese friends. George earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1972 and a Mas-ter of Science in Urban Systems Engineering in 1974. In 1977, George graduated with his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, the first Black to earn this distinction. George returned to his alma mater, Howard University, de-termined to inspire young minds and help the business school obtain accreditation. He earned the reputation of being a “tough” professor deeply committed to helping motivated students succeed.

In 1981, George relocated to Houston, Texas where he stepped into greater leadership as Texas Southern University’s (TSU) Director of Graduate Studies and ultimately, the Dean of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business from 1983 – 1989. At TSU, where he remained for the next 30 years, George touched thousands of lives through his leadership and research, attaining full professorship and tenure, and taught online through the COVID-19 pandem-ic. George's influence was not just limited to TSU. His impact was felt deeply in the Hou-ston community and beyond. He was instrumental in the success of the Educational Learning and Enrichment Center (ELEC), an educational and enrichment company serving youth and adults. He developed educational training programs for economically disadvan-taged adults and “at-risk” youth in Houston and Dallas. He also assisted in the founding of two charter schools, Energized for Excellence Academy, Inc. and the Academy of Acceler-ated Learning, Inc. These schools have received numerous accolades including the pres-tigious honor of being named as one of the two most distinguished Title I schools in Texas.

George was married to Myra Yorke. He was deeply proud of his children: Stanley, Stepha-nie, Tracie, Christopher, and Sydney. He cherished his trips back to the Washington, D.C. area to spend time with his family and long-time friends. He will be remembered for his generosity and charisma, racehorse gambling, impeccable dress, love of Caribbean food and music, and unwavering commitment to educational excellence. He died at the age of 73 in Richmond, Texas.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, professor, and friend, George is survived by his loving wife, Myra Yorke; sons: Stanley Yorke (Tarla); Christopher Yorke; daughters: Tracie Yorke (Shenan); Sydney Yorke; grandchildren: Brandon Yorke and Tyce Yorke; brothers: Desmond Yorke (Drusilla); Raymond Yorke (Leone); sisters: Alma Liverpool (Verrol); Imelda Clarke (Michael) and many other treasured family members. George is preceded in death by his parents: Solomon and Mary Yorke; brothers: Carlton Yorke (Elize); Michael Yorke (Doreen); sister: Mavis Ross; and daughter: Stephanie Yorke.