At that time, George also fell in love with aviation when he was mentored by E.W. “Cotton” and Frances Woods at Columbia Flying Service, where he first learned to fly. This led to a career in commercial aviation including obtaining his commercial pilot license with multi-engine rating, becoming a flight instructor, FAA check pilot, charter pilot, head pilot of Flight Operations for the State of Missouri, and owner/manager of Central Missouri Aviation in Columbia, MO and Jefferson City Flying Service in Jefferson City, MO.
George had a fulfilling career as a professional pilot and was proud to mentor many young people into the field. Some of his favorite trips were to take his beloved Missouri Tigers basketball team to road games, where he loved to root them on from behind the bench. George was a member of AOPA, Quiet Birdmen, and Columbia Rotary Club.
After retirement from aviation, George and Mary operated GM Feedlot, Inc. in Appleton City, MO through the spring of 2000. During his farming career, George was active in Bates County Cattlemen and the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, where he served as state president. Following their second retirements, George and Mary became full time RVers and traveled the United States extensively to see the country and to visit with family and friends. Their best winters were spent at The Palms RV Resort in Yuma, AZ. They made many wonderful friends during their time in Yuma to add to the cherished friendships made during their years in Jefferson City and Columbia, MO, and from their time spent on the farm. Following Mary’s passing in 2014, George lived in the Columbia, IL area near family. He was all-in, whether at work or at play, and often said his best job ever was being a grandpa. George never knew a stranger, was quick with a laugh and a joke for every situation, loved to read and learn, and had a zest for life. After living a life guided by his personal integrity and strong family values, he’s now shot his final approach and made a happy landing!!
George is survived by his daughter, Leigh Ann Perry, Midland Park, NJ; his daughter and son-in-law Michael and Karen Weiler, Columbia, IL; seven grandchildren: Justin (Anna) Weiler, Monument, CO, Adam (Tina) Weiler, Waterloo, IL, Jacob (Claire) Weiler and Caleb Weiler, Columbia, IL, Brendan Geen, Boulder, CO, Mary Geen, Midland Park, NJ, and Hannah Weiler, Peoria, IL; six great-grandchildren: Jackson and Collette Weiler, Monument, CO , Peyton, Michael and baby Weiler, Waterloo, IL, and Theo Weiler, Columbia, IL; sisters-in-law Kathleen Perry, Bethel, MO and Grace Bartz, Appleton City, MO, and many dear family members and friends. George was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary E. Perry, great-granddaughter Lucia Rose Weiler, and siblings John (Charlotte and Joan) Perry, Elaine (Lee Ed) Harvey, Robert Perry, Donald Perry, and Carol (John) Hammond, and brother-in-law Leonard Bartz.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, MO, with visitation from 9:30-11AM, with burial at Appleton City Cemetery. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Bur Oak Brewing Company, 8250 Trade Center Drive, Columbia, MO on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 1:30-3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bloomington Cemetery, 33625 State Hwy C, Bevier, MO 63532 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, IL 62220-2159.
