Mr. George Thomas Earnhart Jr.

George T. Earnhart passed away peacefully in Carson City on May 30, 2026. He was 89 years old. George was born in Fallon, Nevada to George Thomas Earnhart Sr. and Grace May Earnhart on February 12, 1937. Both parents preceded him in death in 1964 and 1972 respectively. He was also preceded in death by Molly, his wife of 57 years, his brother Vincent and his son-in-law Stephen. Survivors include his two children, Rebecca and Karen, three grandsons, Thomas, Timothy, Jason and eight great grandchildren.

George had the talent and the courage to live life as he pleased. He was educated in Nevada public schools, attended the University of Nevada-Reno and several other institutions of higher learning. His career was varied: retail grocery, chemist, science teacher, guidance counselor, personnel officer, psychologist and archivist. He taught both junior and senior high school, adult education, graduate school and numerous programs for leadership skills including stress and time management. He served in the military as both an enlisted man and commissioned officer and was twice elected to state-wide public office.

Shortly after the beginning of World War II the family moved to Reno where his father worked as a sign painter at Reno Army Air Base (now Stead). George’s early school years began at Orvis Ring School where he attended kindergarten through 3rd grade. It was during this time that his brother Vincent MacArthur Earnhart was born. After the war ended the family returned to Fallon where his father was self-employed as the town sign painter. Grades 4th through 8th were spent at Oats Park Grammar School and he graduated from Churchill County High School in 1955. While in CCHS he played varsity football and baseball. George was the first-string pitcher for the Fallon Green Wave baseball team which earned him the nickname “Ace” Earnhart.

George enrolled in the University of Nevada-Reno in the Fall of 1955 (which he attended full-time, part-time, evenings, or summers for the next twenty–one years) and became the first person in the family to attend college. He was proud of the fact he worked his way through school without outside financial assistance. He did it his way -- the hard way.

In his first year at UNR he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve Unit and in 1956 was called on active duty for two years as an enlisted man where he served aboard the U.S.S. Ulhman DD 687 in the Western Pacific. Following his discharge, he returned to Fallon and began working for Safeway stores, the employer he would have for the next four years.

Before returning to UNR in the Fall of 1958 he met Molly Deighton, the one true love of his life. They became engaged on November 11, 1958, and were married on May 30, 1959. Marriage brought to George T. Earnhart a wife who adored, admired and defended him all her life, but who also worked strenuously to tame him. He repaid her with lasting devotion and respect and was enormously proud of all her accomplishments. Theirs was an enduring romance that lasted over 57 years. (They were married for 57 years). They had two children, Rebecca Ann (1960) and Karen Anne (1961).

After graduation from UNR George was fortunate to become the first chemistry teacher at Earl Wooster High School which opened in the Fall of 1962. He often said the three years of classroom teaching were the best years of his life. It was a job he truly loved, and he was well liked by his students. Continuing his education in evening classes he earned his counseling credentials, and he became a guidance counselor at Earl Wooster High School for the next two years (1965-67).

On July 1, 1967, George went to work for the State of Nevada Employment Security Department as the Assistant Chief of Counseling and Special Services in the state administration office in Carson City. Several months later he was called to active duty with the Air Force during the “U.S.S. Pueblo Crisis”. He had joined the Nevada Air National Guard in 1963 as a commissioned officer. He was sent to Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. and served as Base Personnel Officer for AFSC. Upon release from active duty, he returned to work for the State of Nevada and worked in several different agencies for the next 32 years.

In the Department of Personnel, George was instrumental in establishing the Employee Assistance Program in 1974. As a psychologist he counseled more than 1,500 employees and members of their families, plus taught principles of professional management over a ten-year span. Finally, he retired from his last position in the Nevada State Library and Archives in 1999.

He was elected in two general elections to the Nevada State Board of Education, serving a total of eight years and was vice-president and president of the board from 1981 through 1984. He was also active in community affairs which included volunteer service on various boards of trustees. He was an active member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge since 1969.

George was the recipient of several awards and honors. In 1979 he was honored by the Nevada Personnel and Guidance Association, “In recognition and appreciation for outstanding contributions to the counseling profession in Nevada”. He was awarded the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for outstanding leadership during a military career of reserve and active duty, spanning 22 years. In 1982 he transferred to the U.S. Air Force Retired Reserve with the rank of major.

Hobbies included reading, travel and playing penny Keno.

George was one of the most loveable characters in the Sagebrush state. He was grateful to all the good people along the way who took time to indulge his curiosity about their lives, and often said they made his life a most remarkable and memorable journey. He will be missed by all who knew him but never forgotten. He touched many lives with his gentle and caring personality and will always be remembered for his sense of humor.

He leaves us with his favorite saying and creed he endeavored to live by:

I EXPECT TO PASS

THROUGH THIS LIFE BUT

ONCE…IF, THERFORE, THERE

BE ANY KINDENSS I CAN SHOW,

OR ANY GOOD THING I CAN DO

TO MY FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS

LET ME DO IT NOW. LET ME NOT

DEFER IT, OR NEGLECT IT,

FOR I SHALL NOT PASS

THIS WAY AGAIN.

At his request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Burial will be in the Masonic Gardens at Mountain View Cemetery in Reno.