George Mark Jasso

George was born in El Paso, TX on June 27, 1949. He grew up alongside three sisters and two brothers, and was the most rambunctious of the bunch. He was constantly getting into trouble: escaping from his crib, getting hit by a car and a plane (… at an amusement park ride that didn’t have a fence), and frequently (almost) setting the house on fire.

Despite his penchant for mischief, George managed to graduate from Burges High School in 1967. He then joined the Navy at age 17, a decision he often called “the best thing that ever happened to me.” He started out as an aviation electronics technician in Memphis, TN – and was in the city when MLK was assassinated. Soon thereafter, he changed roles and became a Navy dental technician.

George was stationed all over the world – Maine, San Diego, Cuba, Camp Lejeune, Guam, and Illinois – but the most memorable (and important!) posting of his life was in Sasebo, Japan. He spent five years on that “fantasy island,” enjoying the work, the people and the travel – including one incredible blue water sailing adventure to South Korea.

It was also in Sasebo that a DODDS elementary school teacher caught George’s eye. After sneaking into the school’s Thanksgiving dinner, he introduced himself and asked her to dinner. On their first date, they went to a Mexican restaurant where the tortillas were made out of rice flour.

The teacher’s name was Joan, and they spent the next few years courting on the back of George’s Kawasaki. In 1981, they got married – twice – in Fukuoka: once in a Japanese government building and once on base. They traveled all over Asia together, enjoying vacations to places like Hong Kong, Bali, and Singapore.

After receiving the Sailor of the Year award (also twice!), George was stationed at Camp Pendleton for three years where he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer. He then did his last tour, from 1987 – 1990, on the USS Constellation. Aboard the ship, he traveled throughout the West Pacific, pulling into ports in the Philippines, Australia, and even Pakistan.

When George retired from the Navy after 20 years, he became a probation officer in Lone Pine, CA, working with adults and then juveniles. After a decade, he was ready for another change. He eventually landed on a healthy combination of driving a school bus, serving as a part-time sprots writer – and playing a lot of golf.

Joan, sick of his shaggy hair and lax schedule, eventually “encouraged” George to get a real job. So he got his teaching certificate from Cal State Bakersfield and began working in special ed. He continued to do so after their move to Buckeye, AZ, until actually retiring in 2009.

Aside from his work and his wife, George’s greatest passion in life was motorcycles. He frequently took long-distance solo tours, and sometimes rode for days to meet up with friends around the country. Much to Joan’s chagrin, he enjoyed purchasing new bikes and new cars almost as much as he liked using them.

George was also an avid reader; he devoured history books and was constantly sharing what he’d learned. He and Joan loved to travel together too, and were often found camping around the Southwest. One of their favorite trips was to London and the Vatican, where they immersed themselves in local history.

Some of George’s accomplishments included President of the Lone Pine Lions Club; Chairman, Inoy County Republican Central Committee; licensed private pilot; and Kodokan Judo Black Belt (shodan).

Now that he’s gone, George will be remembered as someone who was interested in just about everything. Joan aside, he got bored very easily – and was always looking for a new challenge or adventure. He was also extremely witty; a man who kept his friends and family laughing.

The purpose of this obituary, in George’s mind, was to let people know A) he was dead, B) he had a good time on this planet, and C) he had no regrets. Beat that!

George is predeceased by his father, George, and sister Pat.