Max George

Max Albert George, 90, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, was born September 21, 1921, in Longford, Kansas, to Albert and Edna George. Max died October 6, 2011, at his home in Junction City after several months of deteriorating health issues.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dora Darmstatter George, his parents, siblings and their spouses Dorothy (Emerson) Bennett, Earl (Ileene) George, Laura (Dallas) Clark, Marjorie (Jack) Malcolm, and Louis (Bonnie) George and sister-in-law Melba Pauli.

He is survived by his children Sharon (Joel) Kriss of Manhattan, Doug (Leslie) George of Conway, Arkansas, Ann (Justin) Hoover of Junction City, grandchildren, Joel L.(Dawn) Kriss, Kristy (Todd) Lowe, Matt, Alex, & Dani Hoover, great-granddaughters Kelsey and Kenzie Kriss and Evelyn Lowe, his two brothers Elvin(Ermagene) George and Don (LaVera) George, and his brother-in-law Ross Pauli as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Max completed the eighth grade and then quit school to help his father on the farm. Thus began his love of the land, tractors and hard work. There were very few days in his 90 years that Max was not outside working whether to make a living as a builder or tinkering on a tractor. Max served in the Army during World War II. On April 9, 1944, Dora and Max were united in marriage.

Shortly after exchanging their vows Dora contracted tuberculosis and spent the first two years of their marriage in the Norton Tuberculosis Sanitarium. To be close to her side Max worked as a grocery clerk. Upon Dora's release they moved to Junction City for two years where Max ran a service station. In 1949 after brief construction jobs in Wakeeney, KS, and Delta, CO, they moved to Colby, Kansas, where they raised their family and spent their remaining years until recently moving back to Junction City.

Max was a builder of houses. He built or worked on over 200 homes in the Colby area. No matter the size or difficulty of the job Max was the man to call to get it done. He also was very interested in antique tractors and over the years owned and restored 26 tractors. Perhaps one of his proudest achievements was raising money and then helping with the process of moving the Cooper Barn from Rexford, KS, to the Prairie Museum in Colby.

He took great joy in all the activities his children and grandchildren were involved in whether it was music or sports. Extended family gatherings of the Georges and Paulis were always important in Max's life, but the highlight was always singing with his brothers. They were known as the George Brothers and loved singing whenever they were together. Over the years many audiences were charmed by their talent.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 9, 2011, with Reverend Marshall Stanton officiating at Penwell-Gabel Johnson Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, KS. No visitation is planned. Burial will follow at Keystone Cemetery near Longford, KS. A community celebration of family and friends will be held in Colby at a future date. Memorials may be made to Colby United Methodist Church or the Citizens Foundation and left in care of Penwell-Gabel or at any bank in Colby.