on november 5, 2011 my wonderful grandpa passed away.
what an amazing man he was!!
his funeral was held last saturday in rigby, idaho and i am so glad that we were able to go. the entire event was nothing short of a miracle--ALL 40 of my cousins {except the two on missions} were there and almost all of their spouses + children!! we were quite the crowd.
my grandpa loved music and some of my fondest memories are singing songs at our george family reunions. the funeral was filled with music--all grandkids over age 16 sang "how firm a foundation" and for the closing song all of his descendants sang "we'll bring the world his truth." the spirit was so strong and i know it wasn't just me with tears in my eyes.
though the reason we were all together wasn't the greatest, it was so neat to be all together as a family. it has been at least twelve years since that has last happened. big family gatherings like that seem to give me a little glimpse into heaven.
my grandpa was an incredible example to me and i am so glad that i got to be his grand-daughter. i will always cherish playing pictionary, eating farr's vanilla ice cream with fresh raspberries on top, having delicious popcorn, picking buckets full of raspberries from the garden, and listening to his calm, sweet voice.
we love you grandpa!!
Joseph C. George
Joseph Carl George passed away at his home Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, as a result of complications of Parkinson's disease. His family cared for him with the assistance of Solace Hospice of Rigby.
He was born in Rigby on April 18, 1927, and was 84 years of age. His parents were Hilmer M. George and Edith Kinghorn George. He attended school in Rigby, where he excelled in scholarship and athletics. Following his high school graduation in 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with a group of his friends. At the conclusion of the war, he received an honorable discharge and returned home, where he attended Ricks College for one year. He served as class president at Ricks and then left for an LDS mission to the Northern/ Great Lakes States mission. He served under President Creed Haymond, and chose to follow in his profession. Following his mission he completed his pre-dentistry classes at Brigham Young University in Provo.
Joe met Carol Cordner of Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the beginning of the school year and they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 19, 1951.
In 1955, he graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago. He and Carol and their three children returned to Rigby to live and he began his practice of dentistry upstairs over the Royal Theatre. In a few years he built his dental office on Main Street. Dr. George enjoyed his work and the association with his assistants and office managers. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to know his patient families who came from throughout Jefferson County. Joe loved Rigby and appreciated being able to raise and educate his family of eight children in this growing community. In 2010, Joe and Carol received the Lifetime Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce.
His commitment to his church was a top priority in his life and Joe served as a Scout Master and Bishop of the Rigby 4th Ward. In the organization of the Rigby Stake, he served as Executive Secretary, High Counselor, Counselor in the Rigby Stake presidency, and served for almost ten years as the Rigby Stake Mission President. He enjoyed teaching, speaking and missionary service.
Joe loved Idaho and the opportunities it presented to hunt and fish. Ice fishing with his brother, Reynold, was an important activity after he retired. He was a fine gardener. His family was the center of his interest and affection.
Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol, and the following children: Cyndi (Lyle) Wakefield of Rexburg, Joseph D. (Barbara) of Salt Lake City, Richard (Sally) of Rigby, Kenneth (Rose) of Bountiful, Utah, James D. (Shaunna) of Provo, Utah, Mary Beth (Ward) Wright of Orem, Utah, Ralph K. (Cathy) of Rexburg, and Susan (Craig) Bell, of Rexburg. He was the proud and happy grandfather of 40 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He is survived by two brothers: H. Reynold George of Idaho Falls, and Dr. Dennis George of Boise, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, an infant brother, and his brother, Donal, who was lost during a flight over the Sea of Japan at the conclusion of the Korean War.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at the Rigby Stake Center, 258 W. First St. North, Rigby. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St. Rigby, and for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.
