Fred Donald George

Our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, great uncle went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2013. He was born at Wood hospital, Odessa, Texas, August 14, 1945. As a young boy, Fred attended several Odessa elementary schools due to the rapid growth of the city in the 1950’s. School lasted only half a day, and many times there were not enough text books to go around. At the age of 9, he fought off chicken pox, measles and mumps. Fred graduated from Permian High in 1964, playing football and running track. In 1968, he graduated from St. Edwards University with a BA in Finance, where he later served on the Board of Trustees. On February 27, 1971, Fred married his high school sweetheart, Amanda Wallace in Odessa, Texas.

After college, Fred began his career in the oil field, working for his father’s well servicing company, Charles J. George, Inc. He worked alongside his older brother Charlie, and younger brother Mike. While his brothers pursued other interests, Fred continued working for his dad, and in 1976 purchased the company from his father. Then he expanded his pulling unit count and diversified his company into several different areas of business. He was heavily involved in the oilfield industry, serving as President of the AOSC, which is now AESC, and was one of the first companies to make safety procedures a priority, which led to his company having one of the best safety records in the industry.

Fred always had time for other business ventures, such as the Coors distributorship, Nimbus Water Drinking Systems, a welding company, and a large ranching operation in New Mexico, including the Y Canyon Ranch and the N BAR Ranch. He became involved in the community, serving as Mayor Pro Tem and City Councilman from 1977 to 1979. He was also a member of the Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Task Force. He served for many years on the Food Bank Board, and was the founding member of the Abused Children’s Shelter, which is now Harmony Home, where he created the original Super Bowl fundraiser. He also served on the Pastoral Council at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church from 1988 to 1990, and was a long time supporter and board member of Catholic Charities. Fred was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree, from the time he graduated from high school. He served on the board of NBO bank, and was past president of the West Texas chapter of the Safari Club International.

While continuing to run the well servicing company, he and his partners started Dos Playas LP. As General Partner, Fred developed the current sites of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Jones Pontiac and several other retailers along 42nd street. As a result of his efforts in real estate development, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. Later that year he sold Charles J. George, Inc. After exiting the oilfield business, Fred formed F&J Development with partner Janet Lawrence, and developed a waterfront residential community on Lake LBJ, The Estates on the River.

Fred loved spending time with his wife, 4 children and 10 grandchildren, attending all of their sporting events, as well as ballet recitals. His favorite place to spend time was the family lake house on Lake LBJ that was originally purchased by his mother and father in 1965. Never idle at the lake, he was happiest working hard on projects large and small or any remodeling job. As an avid outdoorsman, Fred enjoyed fishing in Alaska, Mexico, and on the Devil’s river. He also hunted many animals, including, elk, deer, antelope, dove, quail, African game, and alligators. He hunted many places in the U. S. as well as Spain and South Africa. He also loved traveling, especially going to the George dairy farm in upstate New York, North Java, where his dad and George descendants settled after coming from France. His special trips were to Germany, the Vatican in Rome, Italy, England, Spain, Israel and the Holy Land, and South Africa.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles James George Jr. He is survived by his wife Amanda W. George of Odessa, son, Benjamin J. George and wife Brooke of Garland, TX, daughters, Melinda Anne Tucker and husband Brian of San Antonio, Amy Christine Koch and husband Kelvin of Cedar Park, TX, Sarah Elaine Branum and husband Andrew of Dallas, brother, Mike Francis George and wife Phyllis of Odessa, Sisters, Sheila Marie Denton and husband James “Butch” of Odessa, Madeline Ann George of Cedar Park, TX, Mary Margaret Maier and husband Tom of Washington, D.C., (10) grandchildren and one on the way, also many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2013, at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church followed by visitation. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2013, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Monsignors Bridges, Voity and Rev. Mark Woodruff officiating.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to:

For those wishing to make memorial contributions, the family suggests,

Catholic Charities - 2500 Andrews Hwy 79761 - 432-332-1387

West Texas Food Bank - 1008 E 2nd St. 79761 - 432-580-6333

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – 7601 N. Grandview Av. 79765 – 432-367-4657

Pro Life Midland - 4601 Neely Av. 79707 - 432-699-4284