Retired Tennessee School Bus Titan Dies at 81

George Herschel Law, considered a legend in the school bus business in Tennessee and beyond, died on Aug. 24 after months of battling health issues following a heart attack in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He was 81.

In college, he worked as an intern for Blue Bird Body Company and in 1972 took over the Tennessee territory for the company. He opened and operated a dealership in Murfreesboro. As a Blue Bird dealer, Law eventually was inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame. Now, his Mid-South Bus Center and its subsidiaries in Alabama and Georgia are among the largest dealers in the country, offering brands such as Thomas Built Buses and Forest River. His company is slated to celebrate its 50^th anniversary this fall.

According to a LinkedIn post for The Bus Center: “He was a true legend in the school bus business in both Tennessee and across the nation, and was proud of the vital role that the business plays in the daily lives of school children. Although he had been retired for many years, he followed the industry intently until his death.”

Law was born in Americus, Ga., to Sybil and Johnny Law on May 1, 1941. He graduated from Americus High School and the University of Georgia. He met and married his wife, Jackie, while at Georgia Southwestern College. Their family grew to include sons Bucky and Charlie and their daughter Suzanne.

“The last several months have allowed George time to reminisce on his life and those things important to him,” his obituary stated. “He humbly gave credit to several mentors and friends in regard to his spiritual, business and personal successes, particularly his friend and business partner of many years, Ray Earnest. He firmly believed in the value of mentorship to young people and felt that his own success was a product of that encouragement. As a result, he lived his life with this in mind and was a positive influence on young people throughout his years.”

He enjoyed golf and traveling the world with friends and family, but especially treasured family events, from dance recitals and weddings to ball games that were, “no matter the size, real joys of a grandparent,” the obituary said.

He’s survived by his wife, sons, daughter, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family has asked that mourners donate to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital Foundation or the Charity Circle of Murfreesboro.