PALO ALTO -- His name was George Stevenson, but if you were his friend, you probably called him Gumba.
The 83 year old grew up in Schuylkill County and his family and friends said he was the kind of guy who wouldn't shake your hand.
Instead, he'd give you a hug.
"A friendly, loving person, you felt the warmth coming from him when you talked to him. If you were in a crowd talking to him, he was looking at you like you were the only one there," said a friend of more than 30 years, Elmer Kramer.
Stevenson's Son, Chris Stevenson, said his dad was caring and had a huge heart. "He wanted to help kids who were sick."
Stevenson died Thursday in a crash on Route 209 near Pottsville. He was battling cancer and investigators said the medical condition led to the crash.
Stevenson left behind a lifetime of memories and charitable works. For decades, he ran the Georgie Stevenson Memorial Race at Big Diamond raceway in Minersville. The event was a fundraiser in honor of his son Georgie, who died of cancer back in 1979.
"Although he died at the age of 12, he was already involved in this sort of thing himself. He would visit hospitals and things himself with George and see kids going through the same thing he is," said Kramer.
The whole memorial race started with Georgie. His dying wish was for his family to keep helping kids who were sick. George Stevenson did that pretty much until his last day.
"Up until the very end and an amazing job at that," said Chris Stevenson.
Over the years, the race raised about a quarter of a million dollars and all the money went to help sick kids and their families pay for medical expenses.
That wasn't the only way Stevenson helped out, his family also took in 14 foster children on top of their own four children.
Stevenson was even on Newswatch 16 a few times.
We were there when he turned 70 and even honored him with a 16 Salutes for his fundraising efforts.
Stevenson's son said that this year, the race in Minersville will be in honor of two loving people.
"I've heard rumors that I guess my dad's name will be added to that which would be very nice."
A viewing will be held at Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, 208 Pike St., Port Carbon on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.