George Norman Zeluff Jr.

Zeluff, George Norman, Jr passed into eternal life January 14, 2024. Born in San Diego, California on August 7, 1948 to father George Norman Zeluff Senior and mother Frances Louise Zeluff, both of San Diego. He attended Loma Portal Elementary School, Dana Junior High School, and Point Loma High School. His foundation in faith was through his upbringing in the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (PLCPC). After high-school he attended California Maritime Academy (aka as California State University Maritime CSUM). He graduated in 1970 with a B.S. in Nautical Science; an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve; and licensed to sail in the Merchant Marines. His ongoing education was through the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies. George worked his way from Third Mate to Master during his career and sailed as: Third Mate to Master, American President Lines; Chief Mate, Master: Sealand Service; Second Mate, Chief Mate, Master, United States Lines; Ogden Marine, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Navigator, Commercial Tuna Fishing, Western Seas; George was very active in Masters, Mates & Pilots, Offshore Membership Group and the Council of American Master Mariners (CAMM)

The American Merchant Marine is the fourth arm of the United States defense and is ready to serve our country at a moment’s notice. An example of this was in 1975 when George was Second Officer on the USL S/S Pioneer Contender during the fall of South Vietnam Republic. A humanitarian effort was taking place. Thousands upon thousands of fear stricken South Vietnamese were seeking refuge from the on rushing Vietcong and North Vietnamese armies. And it was the American Merchant Marine which responded and provided the avenue of relief and rescue for these poor unfortunate people. Five vessels of USL, including the Pioneer Contender had a leading roll in the merciful evacuation of a total of 84,000 evacuees. The Pioneer Contender carried sightly less than 17,000 individuals from Camranh Bay to Phu Quoc.

George’s priority was his immediate and extended family. He treasured his time with family and put them first. He was very fond of the extended family’s 4th of July gathering and wanted to host it this year 2024. In his retirement, he loved baseball and was an avid fan of the SD Padres. He often took his family and friends to games. And George made a killer-ofa-meal, his famous Chappino! He was predeceased by his parents. George is survived by sister Shannon Greenlee Pint (Jeff); daughter Susan Zeluff-Morales (Dakota); step-daughters Diane Zeluff (Sam Song), Grace Zeluff, and their mother Kum Zeluff; nieces Carleen Carter (RL); Alison Greenlee and Erin Greenlee; grandnieces Scarlet and Poppy; as well as many, many cousins.

Services will be held at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church on March 2, 2024 – Saturday – 10 AM. Reception to follow. 2128 Chatsworth Blvd. San Diego CA, 92107

In lieu of flowers, scholarship donations can be made to California State University Maritime Academy at: https://www.CSUM.EDU/support/ways-to-give.html

Photos of George: https://bit.ly/GeorgeZeluffJrPhotos LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/capt-george-zeluff-a613a982