He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Eleanor Emma Perry Illes. George is survived by his two children, Eleanor Illes Carosella of Houston, Texas and George M. Illes, Jr. (Rick) and his wife Sandra of Dallas, Texas; his grandchildren Alexandra Perry Jardine and her husband Christopher Jardine of Houston, Texas, Grant Illes of Los Angeles, California, Cristin Illes Kahale and her husband Danny Kahale and great- granddaughter Coraline May Kahale all of Newport Beach, California.
George was born in St. Louis, Missouri September 11, 1912 to Arpad Enoch Illes and Sylvina Martin Illes and moved to Dallas when he was 12 and there he spent most of his life. He attended North Dallas High School and graduated With Honors, being a member of the National Honor Society and the winner, in his senior year, of the Latin Tournament. He attended Rice Institute in Houston , was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and played violin in the Houston Symphony, being one of its original members. He graduated in 1933 with a degree in Business and returned to Dallas to join the family business.
George was a Partner in The Illes Company, maker of flavoring and seasonings and was a member of many business groups, such as Texas Dairy Products and Food Technology. In his position with The Illes Company, he wrote numerous articles for the Dairy Industry was a regular lecturer on the aspects of flavorings, fruit and coloring for ice cream and frozen novelties. He also wrote a series of articles on the histories of, and uses for, numerous spices.
Throughout his long life he was a man of many interests and talents. He was a member of the Dallas Country Club, Calyx Club, Who’s Who in America and the Dallas Society Register. He belonged to numerous museums including the New Mexico Museum, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts.
After many years living and working in Dallas, George retired from The Illes Company and he and Eleanor moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1993 where they lived until 2003. An avid photographer , he greatly appreciated the beauty of the New Mexico landscapes and spent many hours photographing the brilliant golden aspens and the extraordinary Santa Fe sunsets.
George was not only a successful businessman but he was also an avid art restorer specializing in Pre-Columbian art, Spanish Colonial Art and English Tea Caddies. He was a member of the American Conservation Society and as such traveled to inspect art facilities and projects in the National Museum of Budapest, Hungary, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia and the Kremlin Museum in Moscow, Russia.
George, along with his wife Eleanor, was a lifelong lover of travel. He travelled all over the world and loved the art and cultures he saw. He was particularly fond of England and been President of the Dallas Chapter of the English Speaking Union and a member of the National ESU Board of Directors. As President of the Dallas Chapter, he was honored to host the Lord Mayor of Edinburgh, Scotland during his Texas visit.
In 2003 George and Eleanor moved to Houston, Texas. While in Houston he was able to renew acquaintances and friends from the alumnae of Rice University. Continuing his interest in the world, he became a member of the Houston World Affairs Council and enjoyed the museums and symphony available there.
The year 2012 was very special for George as he received many requests for interviews. The Houston Symphony wished to add him to the archival records as being one of the oldest living members of the early symphony and taped an in- depth interview as he remembered the early days of the organization. Most rewarding was the acknowledgment by Rice University of George, an early Rice graduate, turning 100 only one month before the University marked its 100th birthday and he was featured in the Summer 2012 Rice magazine as both approached their 100th birthdays. He was most touched as he received a letter from the President of Rice informing him that a dear departed friend and fellow Rice graduate had made a donation to the school in honor of George's upcoming 100th birthday. The gift helped to fund a scholarship for a music student in honor of George's great love for music and the violin.
Throughout his 11 ½ years residing at the Hampton (Brookdale Galleria), he enjoyed the company of his fellow residents and the care he received from all the employees. At the Hampton, he was affectionately known as Mr. Beep-Beep. The family wishes to give an additional thank you to Catherine White for her many years of love and devotion to George and his family.
Above all George was known as a kind man who was greatly loved and admired by all who knew him. Even to the end he loved to joke and talk with all around him, brightening the days for all who came to meet him. His children and grandchildren inherited so much love of life from him and happily benefitted from all the wonderful time they were blest to spend with him. He will be so dearly missed and his passing will leave a great void in the lives of all whom he has touched with his presence.
A Memorial Service will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Mausoleum Chapel East at 11:30 am on Saturday June 13, 2015, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, Texas. We request that any gifts be made in honor of George to Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, P.O. Box 1892 Houston, Texas 77251-1892. Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18