George D. Dooley

George D. Dooley, age 91, passed away on December 23 at Bishop Spencer Place. He was born on October 17, 1930, in Independence, MO, to Frank and Grace Dooley. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Edna.

As a youth, George was active in Boy Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout and inducted into the Tribe of Mic-O-Say at Camp Osceola. He graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1949 and was involved in a variety of activities. He won state honors in debate and American Legion oratory competition, and acted in school theatrical productions. Also, he announced school football and basketball games. In the arts he was awarded gold medals in the scholastic art award competition. George was a colonel and battalion commander in the school’s R.O.T.C. program and was recognized in 1949 as the ‘outstanding cadet. ’ He also was vice-president of the student body.

George graduated from William Jewell College in 1953 with a double major in economics and communications. He continued his involvement in public speaking/forensics competition. As a junior, he was selected for the International Debate Team and competed in debate tournaments, including the nationals, all four years of college. He also won the national championship for extemporaneous speaking. George was chosen for the Aeon’s (men’s honor society) as well as Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Organizations he was actively involved in included: President--Lambda Chi Alpha (social); President--Pi Kappa Delta (forensics); and Sigma Tau Delta (creative writing). After graduation, George served in the Army (1953-55). In the majority of his tour he was Director of the Fifth Army Troop Information School at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

William Jewell College was important to George throughout his life. He was a member of the College’s Alumni Board of Governors and the Alumni Mentor Commission. He helped launch the Alexander Doniphan Society, an alumni planned-giving program. In recent years he served on the President’s Advisory Council. George and Edna jointly received the Distinguished College Service Award and, later George was the recipient of the John Truex Lifetime Alumni Service Award, the highest non-academic recognition by the college. In 2012 the Dooleys gifted William Jewell Dooley Plaza as part of the college’s facility expansion.

Following military service, George was employed by Hallmark Cards for 38 years. He served in a variety of responsibilities in advertising/sales promotion, consumer research, product development, continuous improvement, communications, and training. He was a consultant for Hallmark International to Japan for over 15 years, traveling to Japan as well as hosting Japanese visitors to Kansas City. George had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Mr. J. C. Hall, founder of Hallmark Cards, and considered it one of the highlights of his career.

George was a very active volunteer in the Heart of America United Way in many capacities for over 25 years, including chairman of the speaker’s division and men’s division general. He also was an officer and board member of the Kansas City Hearing and Speech Association. He used his saddlebred show horse experience as a member of the American Royal Board of Governors and the horse show committee, assisting in the presentation of ribbons and trophies. He also initiated a program promoting free attendance for senior citizens at the horse show.

George’s faith was very important in his life. He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, MO, for almost 60 years. He was an ordained elder, moderator of the board of deacons, and vice-moderator of the pastor nominating committee. He and Edna coordinated the creation of 50 banners for the church sanctuary over a 12-year period, and he was actively engaged in the life of the church in many projects and committees.

Edna Mortimeyer Dooley, George’s wife of 52 years, preceded him in death in 2009. They met in college, and their first date in 1952 lasted over half a century. George referred to Edna as his ‘forever bride and the light of his life.’ Their marriage was a true partnership in every aspect of their lives. The depth of George’s devotion to his bride might be summed up in the words: “This I will remember when the rest of life is through, the finest thing I’ve ever done is simply loving you.”

No memorial service is planned at this time. Contributions of remembrance may be made to the Dooley Scholarship Fund at William Jewell College or Second Presbyterian Church.