Lloyd “Gene” George, age 88, passed away at the Christian Health Care Center of Lynden on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. He was known for his vast knowledge of science while having a great sense of humor.
Lloyd was born Aug. 22, 1931, on the Ediger family homestead in Wakita, Oklahoma, to parents Percy and Erma (Ediger) George. He graduated from Selman High School.
Lloyd served four years in the U.S. Navy from 1950 through 1954, touring Japan, Korea, Mariana Islands and the Philippine Islands on the USS Delta (AR-9) and then the USS Lipan (AT-85). He was on the USS Lipan during one of the atomic bomb detonations at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.
On April 21, 1952, he married Darlene Trobridge and together they had sons Lloyd, Raymond and Clarence.
Lloyd attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He started teaching high school science at Julesburg, Colorado, in 1958. In 1960 the family moved to Fullerton, Nebraska. Lloyd worked for the Traveling Science Teacher Program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. In 1962 he started working as a lecturer for the National Aerospace Education Association in the Spacemobile Program. Lloyd presented models of space vehicles and demonstrations to schools and on TV, promoting the NASA space program. He lectured at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962.
Lloyd taught high school science at Fullerton and Lincoln, Nebraska.
In 1968 the family moved to the Seattle area where he taught science at the junior high level.
In 1975 Lloyd and Darlene moved to Forks, Washington, where he taught science in the high school. In 1982 he retired from teaching to open up a gem and jewelry store.
After about 30 years in Forks, Lloyd and Darlene retired and moved to Lynden in 2005. He was a political activist and belonged to many civic organizations including the Forks and Lynden Lions clubs, American Legion, VFW and Elks Lodge.
Lloyd enjoyed being a hobby farmer on his son Ray’s farm. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, clamming, crabbing and gathering berries and chanterelle mushrooms. He was a jack of all trades and a master of some. He was quick-witted and had a good sense of humor.
Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Dick and Teddy; and son Clarence..
He is survived by his wife, Darlene; sons Lloyd (Debbie) and Raymond (Glorene); and daughter-in-law Lorie (Clarence); 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
You are invited to join family and friends for visitation at Gillies Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. Graveside will be at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in Hillsdale Cemetery of Blaine, followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service in Faith Reformed Church of Lynden, 300 Seventh St.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
