Gene George, 69, passed away at home on February 4, 2012, surrounded by his loving family and supported by a multitude of caring friends.
Gene was born to Chester and Mildred George in Algona, Iowa. His youth was spent in Kansas. When he was 14, he fell in love with Wyoming on a family vacation and vowed to one day make it his home. He met the love of his life, Cathy, at the University of Kansas. They fell in love over coffee on the day President Kennedy was shot.
They married in 1964 and moved to Corvallis, Oregon, where Gene completed a Master's Degree in Geology. In 1966, Gene and Cathy moved to Casper, Wyoming, fulfilling his life-long dream. He began his career as a geologist for Amerada Petroleum. In 1971, he went into partnership with John Runge to form their consulting business Runge & George. In 1976 he became an independent consulting geologist. Gene and Cathy started their own business, Gene R. George and Associates which operates to this day under the current ownership of Tyler Vanderhoef.
Gene was very involved in Casper life. He was proud to be a member of many organizations and committees such as the Wyoming Geological Association, Vision 2000, and the Amoco Reuse Joint Powers Board. Gene seemed most pleased to be part of the University Park Elementary School "Earn to Learn" Reading Program. He often spoke of his pride in the children with whom he worked. The University Park Library now bears his name.
Gene was a loving husband to Cathy, a devoted father to Lisa and Eric, and a doting grandfather to Emmett, David, and Calvin. He was an accomplished storyteller with a wonderful, dry sense of humor. Many people didn't know he was a compelling writer and soulful poet. He truly loved golf (especially at 3Crowns) and was a very avid fly-fisherman. Gene was honest, kind, considerate, and was the embodiment of integrity.
Gene was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife Cathy, his son Eric (wife Lynn) George of Billings MT, his daughter Lisa (husband Steve) Reynolds of Cheyenne, WY, grandsons, Emmett Wester, David Reynolds, and Calvin George, and brothers Jerry (wife Carol Maryan) George and Phil (wife Marty) George, and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 11 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Casper, 302 East Second. Donations can be made to the Gene George Memorial Scholarship, c/o Wyoming Geological Assn., P.O. Box 545, Casper, WY 82602. Arrangements under the direction of Newcomer Family Funeral Home and Crematory.