Met George in the early70s and not a day goes by that I don't think of him.  We were songwriters and musicians back then and put a darn good album together.  We worked long and hard on that list of songs and spent hours and hours recording them.  Wish he was here today so we could catch up.  But  I feel pretty certain I will see him again one day when it is my time.  Michael S. Ragan

Not a day goes by that I don't think of you buddy.....miss ya.
This year almost brought us together again...but not yet it seems.....one day though.....God Bless........Mike

I was saddened and stunned to learn of George’s death and missed his funeral. For many years I thought of George as my best friend. My health issues of six back surgeries and a leg amputation took away my favorite passion of building hot rods. George shared the same passion and my fondest memories are the hours creating automotive art shoulder to shoulder with George. I am sure that George is looking down seeing my son and two adult grandsons picking up were George and I left off on the 48 Coupe. They share that same passion as George and I had. George would be so proud to se the plans and progress already. The are building a fifth garage in Phoenix at there home especially for the Coupe to have a permanent home.. Although my body has given up on me I haven’t given on on building great projects. I just have to direct others hands. I know Terry and George found the perfect ranch to build their dream house and George had the best artistic genius I have ever met and it was so much fun when he a plasma cutter in one hand and a welder in the other..’I would like to thank. Terry for making sure George’s wishes were seen thru. I miss you all and thank you so much for sending this memorial

Happy Birthday my Dear Friend Rest In Peace 

Terry, I am so sorry for your loss. The first time George cut my hair I was 14 years old. I am now 55. I remember the days at the Palm Salon! He was always kind and understanding. He will be deeply missed by the Heele family. 

As a very young boy I remember when George's hair was so long it actually went down past his butt.  I remember spending the night at his house in Hollywood, and going to Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, and Sea world all in the 70's.  At that time George wanted to take us antiquing which as a young boy I thought would be so boring, but George made it so interesting.  Every year when we would leave Las Vegas and go to Laguna Beach, CA, George would always come to Laguna to meet us, and we would always do something different with him.  George helped my mother pick out my first Guitar, a six string Takemeine.  Years later I lived with George in Littleton, CO for my Senior year at Columbine High School.  George took me in when no one else would, he opened his home to me, and gave me a new home.
When I moved away in March of 1980 I gave him my guitar, as he could play it so much better than me.  I still cannot believe that my brother is gone.  What a great guy he is, and always will be.
I love you so much brother, and I miss you even more!

Dear George -- like so many others, you became a friend over the last 25 years -- I faithfully followed you from salon to salon. I can't think of a nicer, more thoughtful, more nurturing human being, always focused on other people's needs.  The world will be less without you in it. Goodbye dear George.  And my sincere, heartfelt condolences to George's family, and especially to Terry and Malcolm.
Deb Kelly

George was not just my stylist, but also a friend.  I've known him for almost 40 years- we grew old together.  I will never forget our conversations and his wicked sense of humor.  I don't think I will ever pick up a hairbrush again without missing my dear friend.  

Is it possible, that there are two Picasso's. Yes. There are few who wove,threads of color through the hair like George. Each color shining in it own right. This was George the thread, his true colors all-ways Shining through, He stood tall in who he was, woven into all of our lives at Looks Salon. He all-ways stood by our sides, to lean an ear if needed. He all-ways respected my Path as Colorest, gave me support as an Artist. You are Missed Deeply my friend, Picasso. Peace Out. ✌ Lv ya. Angela Guanella.

Well George, now I cannot share this thought with you standing behind me.   Shall remember the hours dur the past 30 yrs celebrating our shared passion for animals, real estate, and really "great stuff".  You had the artistic eye and desire to create beautiful hairstyle/color, meticulous stall doors, property gates, tile bathrooms.......   My friend, a true artist.

MY OLD FRIEND
by Michael S. Ragan 6-2020
for George

So Here’s to You My Old Friend
It’s Getting’ Down to You and Me
Here’s to You My Old Friend
And This is What I See
The Road Ahead’s Far Shorter
Than All The Miles We’ve Left Behind
Ghosts and Memories a Plenty
Come Back to Haunt Us Time to Time
Some of them are Warm and Happy
And Some Still Bittersweet
They Remain Alive Inside Us
To Remind Us Where We’ve Been

So Here’s To You My Old Friend
And All We’ve Left Behind
I Wouldn’t Take a Thousand Chances
To Change the Way it All Went By
I Wouldn’t Change One Single Moment
Even If I Were To Try
I See Those Days Roll Back Again
Just You and Me
With All Those Dreams That We Shared
And All The Things That Just Might Be
Lost Forever In the Road Behind
That Became Such Memories

And So I Give To You All Those Things
The Times and Journey’s That We Shared
The Memories That We Made
How We Became the People That We Are
And Though The Way Ahead’s Much Shorter Now
For All Those Years We’ve Left Behind
I’m So Grateful for the Friend I’ve Had
That Made Those Journey’s Memories Fine
So Here’s to You My Old Friend
It’s Getting’ Down To You and Me
But Without You My Old Friend
I Could Never Have Been Me


GEORGE was my oldest and dearest friend....we met in our early 20's and played music together for many many years.  For over 50 years George was my best friend........I cannot tell you how much I miss him.   I will think of him often and see him in the pictures of us together from our days in Los Angeles and Colorado.....we shared many interests together ..cars antiques music and memories we made and the songs we wrote about them.  I will miss him the rest of my life and pray that God will let us see each other again some day...........Mike Ragan

George was my hair stylist for almost 40 years.  He was the kindest and most lovely man.  He will be missed.  

George to me was the kindest and most genuine person I had ever meant.  I was a client if his for 20 years   Always smiling.  Loved telling stories   We shared many life challenges together.   All the best to you Terry.  He loved you very much.  I will always remember him as sunshine to my day.  

I have only Known George for 7 years but during that time we became great friends he was an amazing stylist , kind , thoughtful, I enjoyed our talks , I always was happy to come in to shop in morning and see George 🤗 i learned so much from him he loved his home , terry , his sweet malcom , his cars , his different collection , metal work , his talents are endless I will miss our talks during our haircuts . So sad to lose my friend 🙏🏽 

So sorry Terry.  This was at Tracy's wedding January "99"

George, you were a huge influence to me creatively with work and art, antiques, collecting, I always loved your style and I still have the pin-up girl prints you gave me.  I will never forget all the fun we had at Looks and outside of work.  Thank you George,  I love you
                                                                                                                  Tess

George I will never forget how I could make you laugh with a little mid day  “air guitar” when things got a little slap happy at Looks😎 love you man. Rox 

OBITUARY

George VanDenBroek

February 12, 1948 – December 20, 2020

Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel

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