George Washington, Jr.

George Washington, Jr. was born on September 23, 1966, to his adoring parents, George "Zeno" Washington, Sr. and Thelma "Tiney" Washington. At the time of George Jr.'s birth, his father, Zeno, was serving in the United States Air Force. As he prepared to board a plane to Guam, he received the joyful news of his son's arrival. In that moment, he told his wife, Tiney, "Call him 'Skitter'," in honor of a dear friend from the military. From then on, George Jr. was lovingly known as "Skitter" or "Skitterman". His father also fondly referred to him as "#1 Son."
Skitter was raised in Marrero, LA, in the Haydel Manor subdivision. A lively and adventurous child, he spent countless hours outdoors with neighborhood friends, always finding excitement in activities like playing football, riding bikes, and skateboarding—anything that fueled his daredevil spirit. Skitter fancied himself as Evel Knievel, always eager to push the limits.
He was often found near canals and ditches, catching tadpoles and frogs, embracing every bit of adventure he could find. Despite his small stature, Skitter was a talented athlete, excelling in neighborhood games of touch football and basketball. Like his father, he was an exceptionally fast runner, a skill that earned him respect on the playground. No game or fun was complete until well after the streetlights came on—Skitter was always the last to head home, soaking up every moment of his childhood.
Skitter began his elementary education at Miller Wall in Marrero, LA, and later completed Junior High at All Saints School in Algiers, LA. He went on to attend John Ehret High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1985. Skitter's commitment to personal growth continued at Lincoln Cuillier Career Center, where he developed practical skills that laid the foundation for his active and successful working career.
Skitter loved to share stories about his breakdancing days in high school. He was a member of the “Cosmic Rock Breakers”. They traveled and performed while carrying a large piece of linoleum with them to make the performance smoother. Skitter was very good at doing the “windmill!”. His group performed with another group of pop lockers called, “The Mechanical Puppets”. The groups performed at High School Football halftimes and at the 1984 World’s Fair. There was even a commercial for Shoe Town.
Skitter’s work journey began with positions at Gene’s Transmissions and Evans Cooperage before he found his true calling in 1996, joining Union Pacific Railroad in Livonia, LA. As a 4th generation railroad employee, Skitter carried on the family’s legacy working as a Carman until his retirement in 2019. Following his father’s legacy on the railroad, he was fondly referred to as “Lil George”. Not necessarily due to his stature but from following his legendary father, referred to as “Big George”, who was also employed with and retired from Union Pacific. Throughout his career, he took great pride in his punctuality, attention to detail, and dedication to doing things right. His commitment to safety was exemplary, earning him numerous safety awards for maintaining a perfect record with no safety incidents—a testament to his commitment and careful approach to every task.
Skitter was the proud father of four children: Brittney Lachell Washington, Guy De’John Jackson, E’naira Ayanna Washington and Gavaun Khalid Washington. He absolutely adored his two grandchildren: Kaeden De’John Jackson and Kyli Paige Jackson. Skitter found immense joy in spending time with his children and grandchildren, embracing the simple pleasures of life. Whether it was laughing together over snowballs, riding bikes, or playing with train sets, Skitter cherished every moment. His playful nature and love for family created countless treasured memories, and he always made sure to bring fun and laughter into the lives of those he loved most.
Skitter was a man of many talents and passions. Whether it was sports, working with his hands, or learning something new, he mastered whatever he set his mind to. Skitter was skilled at building engines, making minor repairs, and taking on any project that challenged his creativity and precision. He also loved thrifting, always on the hunt for hidden gems that he could restore and generously gift to family and friends.
From the time he could walk, Skitter had a deep love for cars. His early fascination began with Hot Wheels—each trip to Woolworth’s with his parents meant adding a new car to his collection. That passion soon grew into an obsession with creating elaborate Hot Wheels racetracks, arranging them in different shapes and watching the tiny cars zoom around the track. One trip to Woolworth’s ended in a whipping after he put a Hot Wheel in his pocket after his parents said no!
As he grew older, Skitter’s interest in cars evolved into assembling model cars, and today, he proudly owns more than 100 models. His love for automobiles didn't stop there—Skitter became a bona fide car enthusiast. He began building his own hot rods, starting with his father’s 1972 Cutlass, the first of many cars he would lovingly restore. One of his particular favorites was his 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Over the years, he collected high-performance vehicles, each one carefully maintained and kept immaculately clean. His attention to detail and love for cars were a constant throughout his life.
Skitter’s childhood adventures near the canals sparked another lifelong passion—fish and aquariums. What began as a curiosity turned into true love, making Skitter a well-known Aquarist, someone who manages aquariums either professionally or as a hobby. At one point, he proudly had 15 aquariums in his home, each filled with a variety of exotic fish. His dedication extended to his backyard, where he built a stunning koi pond that was a centerpiece of his aquatic collection.
Skitter wasn’t just a hobbyist—he became a mentor to others interested in aquariums, always willing to share his knowledge and help others get started. He guided many in learning the essentials of properly setting up and maintaining aquariums, from choosing the right fish to balancing the environment for their health. Skitter was a true student of aquatic life, constantly reading detailed literature and striving to expand his understanding of fish species and aquarium care. His love for aquariums was not only a personal passion but a way of bringing beauty and knowledge into the lives of others. The sounds of the water running through the pumps in the aquariums brought him a peace that no one understood.
Skitter was a huge football fan, eagerly awaiting the start of the season each year. Saturdays were dedicated to college football, where he would hunker down to catch all the action, but Sundays were his true passion. Skitter was a die-hard fan of the New Orleans Saints, and cheering for his beloved team was one of his greatest joys.
He loved talking about the Saints with his father, uncles, friends, and sister, always eager to discuss the team's wins and losses in detail. Whether the Saints were on a winning streak or enduring a tough season, Skitter remained loyal, finding camaraderie in sharing the highs and lows with his family. Football wasn't just a sport for Skitter; it was a way to bond, laugh, and enjoy time with those closest to him. He also enjoyed picking early in the season which of his sister’s season ticket seats he wanted to use to attend a game.
He loved fishing with his family and friends and enjoyed hunting as well. He would fish every day if time allowed and make videos of his catch and cleaning of the fish. He loved to narrate the videos explaining the tools he used to clean the fish and how he planned to cook them. His sister would always tell him that he needed a YouTube channel.
He loved to talk on the phone with his buddies about everything! He was easy to talk to and a chatter box at times. He loved various subject matters and watched the news everyday religiously.
Family time meant a lot to Skitter. He loved traveling to Texas to see his children and watch his baby boy play football. He was truly overjoyed. Now that his grandson would be playing, he could not contain his excitement. His children’s accomplishments of graduating college, playing football, and traveling the world performing brought him so much excitement. Skitter was close to his mother who he lovingly referred to as the “General”. He would laugh at how she would give orders continually. When he would call the “General”, there would be so much laughter there it would break any tension that would be occurring at the time.
Skitter will be missed dearly for his huge heart and simplicity. He wasn’t complicated and enjoyed simple pleasures like watching animals in their habitat. The zoo was one of his favorite outings with his family. He was truly a loyal friend to all and was loved by many. His father was a legend that he looked up to and he carried the legacy that his father created and passed it to his children and grandchildren. He did everything with his father and has shared passions to include the love of cars, fishing eating, sports, an excellent work ethic, humor, and time with family. They would talk for hours about it all! He duplicated his father’s efforts to be a respectable man. His family was proud of him and the man that he showed himself to be. Now the Two George’s are together as the two peas in a pod they always were.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grand-parents, Kermit Washington, Sr., Florence and Oscar Duckett, Sr.; his maternal grand-parents, Thomas “Do-Man” and Ophelia Hawkins, Sr.; his siblings, Pamela Gisell, Kermit Michael, and Keshell; his uncles and aunts, John Washington, Birdie Johnson, Lorena Davis, Delores Marshall, Kermit Washington, Jr, Joseph Washington, Sr. Ralph Washington, Oscar Duckett, Jr., Gloria Duckett, and Lionel Duckett; Helen Grace Washington, Ruby Coats Becker, Dorothy Jean Hawkins, Idessa Ruth Hawkins; Ronald Hawkins, James Rodney Hawkins, and Marvin Michelle Hawkins, T. J. Becker, and Wayne Walters.

The remaining loved ones who share many memories include; his mother Thelma (Tiney) Washington; his sister, Karen Washington of Baton Rouge, LA; his children; 2 daughters, Brittney Washington of Orlando, FL, E’naira Washington of Dallas, TX, and 2 sons; Guy Jackson, and Gavaun Washington of Houston, TX; his grandchildren, Kaeden and Kyli Jackson; one daughter in law, Veronica Franco Jackson; his aunts and uncles Claudette Autrey, Debra (Kenneth) Johnson, Carmen Walters, Angela (Shanan) Horne, Iris Hawkins, Elaine Hawkins, Thomas Hawkins, Jr, Alton “TC” Hawkins, Kirbie Hawkins, Jarvis (Vera) Hawkins, Rosemary Pinkney (Samuel) of Atlanta, GA, Robert Duckett, Malinda Bell, and Emelda Washington of Darrow, La, Jonnie Mae Duckett, and Robert Johnson. Godparents, Ike Hunter, Jr. and Joyce Antoine. A Celebration of Life and Legacy in honor of George, Jr. and George, Sr. will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Rock of Ages Baptist Church, 6533 Acre Rd., Marrero, La 70072. Visitation begins for 8am followed by Celebration of Life Service for 10am. Pastor Reginald Nicholas, Sr. officiating. Interment for George, Jr.(Skitter) to follow at Restlawn Park Cemetery and Mausoleum, 3540 US-90, Avondale, La 70094. Arrangements of his final care entrusted with Treasures of Life Funeal Services, 315 E. Airline Hwy., Gramercy, La 70052
“When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a Treasure”