Leonard Virgil George
1917-2016
Leonard Virgil George, 98, of Edmond, Oklahoma went to be with the Lord on September 24, 2016. He was born November 27, 1917 on the family farm in Jet, OK, to Virgil and Mayme George. He was the oldest of five children.
Leonard attended Enid Business College after graduating from Jet High School in 1935. He studied at the University of Oklahoma for two years before heading to California in 1941 to train as an airplane mechanic and worked for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego. Wanting to serve in the military, he was sworn into active duty in the United States Navy on March 2, 1942 as a Pharmacist Mate, First Class. He served on the USS LCI 337 in the Philippines where he was known as “Doc” to the crew. As the only medical personnel on board, he would care for 150-200 causalities by himself during a battle. While on a leave, Leonard met the beautiful Ann McClanahan and six months later were married June 11, 1945. After separating from the Navy, Leonard returned to the University of Oklahoma and graduated in 1947 with his degree in Pharmaceutical Medicine. He returned to California and worked in the Pharmaceutical area for nearly 50 years from being a drug salesman to owning his own pharmacy.
Leonard’s marriage of 50 years ended in 1995 with the death of his wife, Ann. Leonard’s brother’s wife, Velda George, consoled him after losing her husband, Ed, the year before and love bloomed and they were married Nov. 16, 1996. They enjoyed nearly 11 years of marriage till Velda passed away in 2007.
Leonard loved the sport of fishing from “deep sea” to “jug fishing” as well as reading, woodworking, gardening, traveling and sightseeing. He loved studying his Bible with Bible Study Fellowship and attended Faith Bible Church in Edmond till he was physically no longer able to do so. He had a warm caring personality who was always willing to do so much for others and deeply appreciated anything done for him. Leonard is now at home in heaven, not because of character or accomplishments, but because of the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Leonard is preceded in death by his first wife, Ann (McClanahan) George, his second wife, Velda (Blackledge) George; sister Evelyn Potter; brother, Ed George; and step-great-granddaughter, Makenna Johnson.
Leonard is survived by his sisters, Virginia Manning of Enid, OK, and Rachel Reinholtzen of Jupiter, FL; his son, Lee George of Modesto, CA; stepdaughters and stepsons-in-law, Peggy and Steve Gallagher of Compton, AR, Marsha and Tony Bostwick of Edmond, OK; stepson, Craig George of Sherman, TX as well as 8 step-grandchildren, 17 step-great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
Services 10:00 am, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, Matthews Funeral Home. Informal graveside, 3:00 pm, Pleasant View Cemetery, Jet, OK. Formal Viewing at Matthews Funeral Home Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.