George attended Ventura High School where he played football and ran track. After graduation, he briefly attended Ventura College then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Prior to being deployed, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Sharek on April 1, 1951. On the ship, he signed up to be on the fire crew as he was not going to let his ship sink because he didn’t know how to swim. While on shore patrol he always kept watch of his sailors looking out for their safety.
After his service, George attended San Diego State University graduating with a degree in math then started his career as a teacher in Oxnard. He taught math at Ventura College then became a counselor. In 1975, he helped start Oxnard College as the dean of instruction. He went on to receive his doctorate in education from the University of La Verne, then returned to Ventura College as the vice president of administrative services.
George and his wife, Bev were very involved in the college basketball and football programs. They spent many hours watching the games and mentoring students. George was a fixture at the college games, a frequent visitor to the industrial arts and automotive classrooms and an occasional passenger on Joanne’s cart. When anyone needed help, he was there. After he retired, they were involved in the Ventura College Foundation helping to support the college.
George and Bev were blessed with three children they raised in their Ventura home. Each morning, George would get the kids go outside in their pajamas to push the Volkswagen to get it started as he headed off to the college. He spent many hours coaching baseball and basketball teams and watching his kid’s activities. They never missed the grandkid’s events and always brought treats for all.
In his spare time, George would be working on additions to the family home in Ventura. Later, he would frame walls on the front lawn, load them on the green truck to take them up to the beautiful home he built in Ojai, where he retired with his wife. At every family dinner, George would barbeque tri-tip and make the sweetest homemade ice-cream. He loved spending time with his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Bev, his siblings Roberta Smith and Preston Lanning, sons Jason (Kelley), Rex (Heidi) and daughter Dale (Anthony) along with his grandchildren Jason Jr, Christopher, Steven, Rusty, Rocky, Caitlin and Kelsey and great-grandchildren. George and Bev also had many students live with them whom they considered their family including John, Maurice, Victor, Karima and Fred.
Arrangements are under the care of Ted Mayor Funeral Home.
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