Joseph Carl George

Joseph Carl George passed away at his home Saturday evening, November 5, 2011 as a result of complications of Parkinson's disease. His family cared for him with the assistance of Solace Hospice of Rigby. He was born in Rigby April 18, 1927 and was 84 years of age. His parents were Hilmer M. George and Edith Kinghorn George. He attended school in Rigby where he excelled in scholarship and athletics. Following his high school graduation in 1945 he enlisted in the navy with a group of his friends. At the conclusion of the war he received an honorable discharge and returned home where he attended Ricks College for one year. He served as class president at Ricks and then left for an LDS mission to the Northern/Great Lakes States mission. He served under President Creed Haymond, and chose to follow in his profession. Following his mission he completed his pre-dentistry classes at Brigham Young University in Provo. Joe met Carol Cordner of Stillwater, Oklahoma, at the beginning of the school year and they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 19, 1951. In 1955 he graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, IL. He and Carol and their three children returned to Rigby to live and he began his practice of dentistry upstairs over the Royal Theatre. In a few years he built his dental office on Main Street. Dr. George enjoyed his work and the association with his assistants and office managers. He especially enjoyed the opportunity to know his patient families who came from throughout Jefferson County. Joe loved Rigby and appreciated being able to raise and educate his family of eight children in this growing community. In 2010 Joe and Carol received the Lifetime Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce. His commitment to his church was a top priority in his life and Joe served as a Scout Master and Bishop of the Rigby 4th Ward. In the organization of the Rigby Stake he served as Executive Secretary, High Counselor, Counselor in the Rigby Stake presidency, and served for almost ten years as the Rigby Stake Mission President. He enjoyed teaching, speaking, and missionary service. Joe loved Idaho and the opportunities it presented to hunt and fish. Ice fishing with his brother, Reynold, was an important activity after he retired. He was a fine gardener. His family was the center of his interest and affection. Joe is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol, and the following children: Cyndi (Lyle) Wakefield of Rexburg, Joseph D. (Barbara) of Salt Lake City, Richard (Sally) of Rigby, Kenneth (Rose) of Bountiful, Utah, James D. (Shaunna) of Provo, Utah, Mary Beth (Ward) Wright of Orem, Utah, Ralph K. (Cathy) of Rexburg, and Susan (Craig) Bell, of Rexburg. He was the proud and happy grandfather of 40 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. He is survived by two brothers: H. Reynold George of Idaho Falls, and Dr. Dennis George of Boise, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, an infant brother, a granddaughter, Heidi George, and his brother, Donal, who was lost during a flight over the Sea of Japan at the conclusion of the Korean War. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday November 12, 2011 at the Rigby Stake Center, 258 W. 1st N., Rigby. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday evening at Eckersell Memorial Chapel, 101 W. Main St. Rigby, and for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.