Alaska pioneer, homesteader, gold miner and pilot George Hartley McCullough, 83, died May 31, 2008 at his home in Talkeetna, surrounded by family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at Talkeetna Elementary School. A potluck will follow; casual attire preferred. Those who attend are asked to bring their best stories to share. The Rev. Travis St. John, the Rev. Mike Stewart and Steve Hanson will officiate.

McCullough was born Feb. 12, 1925 in Wheatland, Wy., to Floyd and Hazel (Parker) McCullough. In 1940, the McCullough family rode on a steamship to Alaska and eventually homesteaded a tract next to International Airport in Anchorage. McCullough attended the Territorial School in Palmer until he was drafted into the U.S. Army at 18, serving until his honorable discharge in 1945.  In 1947, after attending Lockheed Aircraft School, McCullough drove up the Alcan to return to Alaska. He homesteaded what is now known as Bay Shore West. He partnered with businessman David E. Alm in creating and building Campbell Lake and the surrounding subdivision.

In 1951 McCullough met the vivacious Dolores Jean Steinke, which began their 56-year journey together. They were married on Dec. 15, 1951 in Everett, Wash., and had two children, Lucy and Pete, who share the same adventurous spirit as their dad.

In 1959 McCullough became a committed believer in Jesus Christ through the friendship and testimony of the Rev. Lowell Campbell.

McCullough began the development and cleared the land for Alaska Raceway Park near Palmer, only to be stopped by Alaska’s 1964 earthquake. He moved his family west of Talkeetna to the Cache Creek area to mine for gold in 1967. He filed for a federal patent for two miles of ground where he mined until 2007 and built Dollar Creek Lodge and cabins.

McCullough was a founding elder of the Talkeetna Christian Center and contributed endlessly to his church, friends and community. His family said he was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. “He was a great man of faith, beloved husband, father and friend, and he will be missed by all who knew him,” they wrote.

McCullough is survived by his wife, Dolores (Steinke) McCullough; daughter and son-in-law Lucy and Travis St. John; son Pete McCullough; grandchildren Jessica and Gary Lamb, Allen and Erica St. John, Joah St. John, Isaac and Jeni St. John, Crispin St. John, Sara St. John, Corey McCullough and Sam McCullough; great-grandchildren Derek and Savaana St. John, Drew Tennant, Corban and Joshua Lamb, Brylin and Tavier St. John; many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and friends.

 McCullough was preceded in death by his parents, brother Floyd McCullough and grandson Damon St. John.