George Joestar I

George Joestar is a minor character appearing in the manga JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, by Hirohiko Araki.

Synopsis
George Joestar is Jonathan Joestar's father. He lost his wife Mary Joestar in a carriage accident where he met Dario Brando. After Dario's death, Dio went to live with George and Jonathan at the Joestar Estate, because George thinks Dario saved his life (he incorrectly believes this for much of his life, and George even understands this, yet still honors Dario by care-taking his child). Eight years later, George was struck ill. Jonathan suspected Dio of poisoning his father, and set out to Ogre Street for proof and to find a cure. When Jonathan returned proven correct, the two rivals had a confrontation. In Dio's attempt to stab Jonathan, George acted as a human shield and was stabbed in the back. George's blood, which had splashed onto the mask, had caused Dio to change into a vampire. George died nestled in Jonathan's hold, commenting that "it isn't so bad to die in your son's arms".

Steel Ball Run
His counterpart in Steel Ball Run is an acclaimed horse trainer who had won the Triple Crown seven times and shares his name, but not his personality traits. Johnny's father is far more strict and severe with his sons, and even shamelessly favors his elder son Nicholas over his younger son Johnny.

Trivia

 * If "George" is considered to be pronounced with a "jo" in its first syllable, George Joestar may be considered the earliest known JoJo to date (in both timelines).