George Hill Arbaugh Jr

September 21st 1940 - November 30th 2021

It is with profound sadness that the family of George Hill Arbaugh, Jr.(Joe), shares the loss of their beloved and infinitely adored father, family member and friend to all. George Hill Arbaugh Junior passed peacefully at home in the early morning of November 30th 2021. George was born September 21st, 1940 in Lansing, Michigan, to his parents, George and Betty Arbaugh of Locust Lane, Lansing. Joe was the grandson of F.N. Arbaugh, owner of the historical Arbaugh Department Store. Joe grew up on Locust Ln. on the Grand River, embracing water adventures early on. From canoeing and trapping on the Grand River, to sailing on Burt Lake, to Great Lakes exploration, he was a natural born outdoorsman.

George attended J. W. Sexton High School, Howe Military Academy and graduated from Michigan State University. His restless spirit led him to San Francisco and Aspen, Colorado where he worked as ski instructor. Joe came back to Michigan and opened The Sportsmeister Ski Shop on Grand River, East Lansing, a favorite family establishment. Joe was committed to friendly and personalized service with all customers who called him a friend, first and foremost. Later, Joe became involved in oil and natural gas exploration. He was a prominent businessman in East Lansing and the Greater Lansing area. He co-founded and was the CEO of Wolverine Energy LLC, an oil and gas exploration and investment company which expanded throughout the country.

Those who knew Joe would say he was exceptionally friendly, caring, always positive, encouraging and extremely generous. He will be eternally remembered for his enormous heart, optimistic spirit and his infinite love of family; his children, grandchildren, (the more the merrier), adventure and living life to the fullest.

There was not an adventure Joe turned down. From off piste skiing, completing 42 Mackinaw races, including winning the 1st place trophy for the Port Huron race in 1977, to competitive sailing, in Harbor Springs and Les Cheneaux Islands, Joe was happiest on the water and ski trails. Everyone who knew Joe had a water story to tell. There was not a body of water Joe did not want to explore, ranging from the Great Lakes to the Bahamas. His favorite pastime was devouring charts, plotting his next landfall. He reflected fondly of his childhood summer memories on Burt Lake. Till this day, Joe holds the record for a half day continuous slalom ski around the entire shoreline. Throughout his adult life, Big La Salle island was his home away from home, where he built beautiful memories with his children and grandchildren.

Surviving Joe are his former wife and Mother to his four children, Laura O'Brien of East Lansing, Michigan and children: Brie Hill Arbaugh, of Santa Monica, CA, Ashley Holland Hamedi of Brewster NY, Trisha O'Brien Ludwig of Redding, CT, and George Hill Arbaugh Ill of Missoula, MT. and six grandchildren, Blue Hill Hunter, Lola Brie Ludwig, Ruby June Ludwig, North Franklin Hill Ludwig, Rosha Rose Hamedi, Enya Hill Hamedi as well as his devoted partner for the last several years, Patricia O'Hearn. Joe leaves behind many family and friends, all whom he loved more than anything.

Per Joe's wishes, his ashes will be returned to his beloved waters in Northern Michigan, followed by a Celebration Of Life ceremony in the summer of 2022.