George Tellam

He passed away peacefully with his loving wife, Yvonne, holding his hand. They had recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on June 23rd. George is survived by his sons George, Matthew (Wanda), and Curtis (Donna) and also his daughters Denise and Madeleine (James). His 15 grandchildren Ryan, Justin, and Hailey Tellam, Ashton George (Maxwell), and Nicholas Caudle, Avalon, Seymour, George (Trae), and Amalina Tellam, Jenny, Dakota and Sarah Hawkinson and Bailey and Avery Tellam were his joy. He also was blessed with great grandchildren Matthew J. Tellam and Rowen LeMaire Caudle. He is also survived by his sisters Kathryn Starr and Martha Masch.

George was preceded in death by his sister Joanne Nagel and his brothers Fred and Willie Tellam.

George was born October 11, 1932 in San Diego, California. He was the son of Frederick Lincoln Tellam and Mary Sawday Tellam. Before George was born, his father was bitten by a rattlesnake and died. His mother later married his stepfather, Hans Starr. George attended the one room Witch Creek School for eight years followed by Julian Union High School. He attended and graduated from Pierce College in Canoga Park. Following his education, George enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served his country honorably in Korea and was also stationed in San Antonio, Texas. While on leave, George met Yvonne Lemaire, whom he asked out on a blind date. They fell in love and married June 23, 1955 at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla, California. The couple made their home first in San Diego, where George was foreman to the ranch of Mr. Oliver. He later moved to Escondido to pursue a career in construction which led him to Los Angeles and eventually to Anaheim. They settled in Anaheim, where they raised their five children while George built tract homes. He later moved to commercial construction of office buildings, hotels and later to custom homes. He was very proud of his construction career and we still peruse the buildings he built 50 + years ago. While in Anaheim, George was very active in Little League coaching with the kids, many of which eventually played major league baseball.

George was an incredible sports fan. His football team was the San Diego Chargers and his baseball team was the California Angels. He was an active spectator of College Football which became even more avid as his children and grandchildren attended various rival colleges and universities.

George maintained many friendships of family and friends thru life. He and Yvonne had the opportunity to travel thru Europe and Canada, and always made it a point to travel and attend family events. He and many of his siblings, along with close childhood friends enjoyed a regular long-standing lunch where they caught up and swapped old stories.

He loved family dinners and as we each visited him used dinner as an excuse to get his beloved tri-tip or steak, prepared by each child, “just the way he liked it”.

George lived out his retirement in his beautiful house that he built in San Clemente, with Yvonne, for his family and friends to enjoy with them.

As a father, George showed each of us the value of hard work and a strong ethical foundation, however, his most cherished role in life was that of “gramps” to his 15 grandchildren. He was all about fun. He was the life of the party, the energy in the room. He was a “kidder”, instigator and fierce competitor (light hearted cheater). The stories we all carry in our hearts of “Georgisms” and left handed antics, will keep us laughing for a lifetime. He left us smiling and we all have the shared memory of him sitting at the table egging us on and mom looking up over her puzzle and saying “Oh George”, to let us know he wasn’t serious.

Rest peacefully now Gramps. Breathe easy and play some ball. We are all doing what you asked of us, and know that you would be as proud of us as we were to be your family.

We all Love and miss you dearly.

Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 10:00 AM the Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla, the same church he and Yvonne married in.

Interment with Military Honors will follow the Mass at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego at 12:00 Noon.

Kathryn Starr, loving sister of George will be hosting a reception luncheon at "The Farms" 8500 St. Andrews Road, Rancho Sante Fe, CA 92067 immediately following the interment.