Michael Sarkis George

Michael “Mike” Sarkis George was born on July 29, 1959 in Fowler, CA. He was raised by his father, Sark George, along with grandparents Rose and Michael George.

Mike learned the value of hard work early in life and held jobs like tomato picking, but he would tell you he ate more than he picked. Mike graduated from Fowler High School in 1977 and attended Fresno State. Throughout college Mike worked for J&J Service in Easton, CA. He often credited the owner for always making his Christmas bonus the same amount as Spring tuition. He graduated 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Business.

When Mike was 22, he met his friend’s sister, Jeri, and quickly fell in love. They were married in November 1985. Mike and Jeri had their first child, Christopher, in May 1986 while living in Caruthers, CA. Just after their second child, Shannon, was born in 1989, they moved to Fresno, CA, where they also welcomed their third child, Kelly, in 1996.

Mike worked as a salesman for several companies, before finally deciding to start his own business, Kings Canyon Wood Products in 1999. Mike’s competitiveness was able to truly shine and he grew the business to the largest wood bin manufacturing company in the State. However, Mike never changed. You would still find him driving “the big truck” to do deliveries and answering the phone, “this is Mike,” for all 26 years of owning the company.

In 2011, Mike and Jeri fulfilled his lifelong dream - purchasing a raisin ranch, which he named, Cry Baby Farms. He prided himself on the cleanest ranch in the area and although his business kept him busy, you would still find Mike on a tractor or gator at all times of day or night discing, irrigating, and spraying.

What brought Mike the most joy in life was watching his three kids succeed in what they set their mind to, and even more so, his seven grandchildren that called him Papa. Mike and Jeri always begged for grandchildren and were blessed with seven of them right away - Cameron & Riley through marriage in 2015, Jaxon in 2015, Vivienne in 2016, Dylan in 2018, Ava in 2019, and Violet in 2020. Mike had the most patience with babies and never backed down from even his most difficult granddaughters. He became a devoted Papa who encouraged mischievousness and sneaking “red label juice” also known as Coca-Cola.

Mike despised a rainy day because it prevented him from working in the yard or on the ranch. He would wash cars before the sun came up, and always backed Jeri's car in before work on Monday morning. He loved decorating the yard for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. Papa’s yard was a magical place for his grandkids to play and where the whole family gathered. Mike and Jeri loved to host holidays and open their home to friends and family.

Mike is preceded in death by his father, Sark George and grandparents, Rose and Michael George.

Mike is survived by his wife Jeri, his children and their spouses Chris and Lynda George, Shannon and Raul Vizcarra, and Kelly George, and his grandchildren, Cameron, Riley, Jaxon, Vivienne, Dylan, Ava, and Violet.

Mike's funeral will be on March 14, 2025 at 10:00AM at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns, and Blair Funeral Home; 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, CA.