Last June was a time of joyful anticipation as Tristan made it safely home after his tour in Afghanistan. Waiting for those buses to pull in with our beloved son seemed an eternity. When the marines finally marched onto the common in rather bedraggled form, they never looked so good. I recall searching the many faces for the one face I was looking for and being somewhat frustrated because in uniforms, they all look alike. Then, suddenly, there was a marine with a familiar walk. Yes, that slight shrug of the shoulder was no lie --- it was our marine -- home and safe.
Just days later our joy would turn to sorrow. Our family gathered in George's room as we took our last communion together and George ate a bigger meal than I had seen him eat in weeks. He joked about the girls in Honolulu when he was stationed there with his characteristic sailor humor. Being tired, he fell asleep and in the early hours Ashley called to inform us that he quietly passed on to his Heavenly Father.
His red hair was no lie and he could have a temper. However, it is the love for fun for which he is remembered in spite of his difficult childhood. George came from obscure beginings. Not only did he come from "the other side of the tracks", but his mother died when he was 12 and it was George who discovered her. His father had a difficult time finding work once the mines closed. He remembered being forced from their home and eating mush every meal. Although he had pleasant memories of school, he admitted to being spanked nearly every day. George probably was not voted most likely to succeed by his teachers or peers.
After graduation, George did a 6 year tour with the US Navy and saw considerable action during World War II. He was proud of his achievement of Chief Petty Officer, Permanent Appointment. He took advantage of his GI Bill to complete barber school and opened his own shop in Parker, Indiana. He became one of the pillars of the commnity ~ open handed and open hearted to all. It was not uncommon for George to take toys to underpriviledged children at Christmas, knock on the door and run away. He was active in service organizations.
My children knew him as "Little Grandpa" and were enchanted by his witty stories and sayings. They never tired if hearing the same stories over and over. George just had a comical and humorous way of spinning a tale. You just never knew how much of it was true and how much was embellishment. His ready laugh and slight wink always left you wondering.
He died as he lived ~ calmly accepting what was before him, fulfilling his responsibilities and telling stories with a laugh and a wink. George, you are missed.
WIT AND WISDOM OF GEORGE:
* You never want to tell everything you know. Then they will know what you know and what they know and that will make them smarter than you.
* AW ... BUG FEATHERS!
* I had an occasion to be..... (if he started a sentence this way, we knew a good story would follow.
* That's singular!
Stay tuned --- Ashley and Tristan will have to help me with some of the rest!
