George P. Dodge Sr.

On Oct. 7, 2015, the Trumpet sounded and Jesus said to George P. Dodge, Sr., “Come Up Here!” George was born on Jan. 30, 1921, in Lovingston, Virginia.

George answered the call from Uncle Sam as an Army Air Corps mechanic from 1940-1945, serving in the African and Italian campaigns. After the war, George enjoyed 68 1/2 years of marriage to his sweetheart, Joanne. George brought his family to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1956, working for Alaska Airlines as an A&E aircraft mechanic.

By 1961, George and Joanne homesteaded 40 acres on the west end of Big Lake around Sara Lake. He taught his mechanic trade to his three sons, George III, David and John, who helped him run his new venture, Big Lake Marine, from 1961 to 1985 with Joanne and daughters, Sara and Susan.

Also surviving George are his 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Deciding to split his time in Alaska with the warmth of Arizona, George worked as aircraft inspector for America West Airlines until he finally retired in 1994. George loved Alaska and enjoyed living at Primrose Retirement Center with Joanne until his Lord called him home.