THERON C. GEORGE
November 30, 2011
Theron C. George, 68, passed away Nov. 30, 2011, with his wife and daughter by his side at his Boise home, due to complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Theron was born Feb. 17, 1943, in Lewiston, to Glen and Viola George, where he was raised and attended high school. He served in the U.S. Navy as a boatswain mate, traveling the world, and was honorably discharged January 1964, to the U.S. Naval Reserves. He married his wife, Judith Ann Sudbrink, March 18, 1961, in Coeur d’Alene. Of their union, two children were born, Tammy and Tony. March 18, 2011, he and Judy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Theron wore many hats during his work career, including auto body and repair at Chucks Auto Body, Cusack VW, Lewiston Chevrolet, rock crusher operator with Murphy Bros., millwright with Shearer’s Lumber Mill, road blade operator of HJ Hammond and Idaho County, owner and operator of Red River Repair, and rock crusher superintendent of Valley Asphalt. He initiated and managed the Elk City-Red River-Dixie Area 25B State of Idaho snowmobile grooming program for seven years, proudly maintaining the Piston Bully machine used for trail grooming and volunteering in the Timberliners Snowmobile Club. While operating his business, Red River Repair, you could find him out servicing the U.S. Forest Service and logging equipment vehicles throughout Elk City area, driving his classic orange and brown shop truck fully equipped for mobile repair. He was a talented man of many trades, all of which he performed well and proudly. He was known as the “go-to” guy for anything that needed to be repaired or rebuilt.
His love for Red River originated as a young boy and teenager when he worked during the summer season for his Aunt Mary and Uncle Earl George, who owned the Red River Hot Springs. His dream of living at Red River became a reality in August 1969, when he and Judy bought a home which remains in the family today. They personally refurbished and remodeled the home, building the large barn and shop which eventually housed the Red River Repair. While in business, you would readily recognize the Red River Repair ad by the silhouette of the tall A-frame outline of the house, garage, and barn/shop. During his lifetime, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking, riding his Morgan horses, packing and guiding with his cousin Archie George of Red River Corrals, snowmobiling, building and flying radio-controlled airplanes, rebuilding classic vehicles and a wicked game of pinochle. He was a dedicated fan of NASCAR, meticulously maintaining a weekly record book which contains years of facts and results from the many races he watched, especially of his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon. Theron was ever helpful throughout years of 4-H completed by Tammy and Tony, providing insight and support on the multiple projects and creations instilling in them a strong work ethic. He spent hours teaching and working with his son, Tony, on Tony’s classic ’53 Ford pickup project. Many happy and loving memories were made with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends in Red River. Theron and Judy traveled several years with their good friends on annual snowmobile and camping trips in the Northwest and Canada. Theron always loved and thrilled living at Red River because of the quietude and wild outdoors. He treasured having his own private view of the meadow which stretched wide from his porch, and loved seeing the elk and deer roam in the meadow and winter behind their house. He lived for the past year in Boise for health reasons, but always longed for his Red River home, missing that meadow view from the front porch.
Theron is survived by his wife, Judy, of Boise; his daughter, Tammy Shuyler and Tony, of Boise; his mother, Viola George; and sister Yvonne Chadsey and Bill, all of Redmond, OR; grandchildren Sarah Whipple of McCall, Summer Workman of Spanish Fork, UT, Kayla George and Breeana Dalton of Lewiston, Casey George and Garrett Langston, both of Boise, Cassidee Langston, Brycen George and daughter-in-law Angela George, all of Kamiah; and great-grandchildren Cassia and Nerissa Whipple of McCall and Amber Bentley of Boise; as well as a large extended family and longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Glen George, and his son, Tony George.
The family wishes to thank everyone for their loving thoughts and prayers. Additionally, much appreciation is extended to the St. Luke’s Hospice of Boise for care and support during Theron’s last days. Final arrangements were completed by Boise Funeral Home/Aclesa Chapel. A memorial service celebrating Theron’s life is planned for June 2012, at his Red River home, where his ashes will be spread for eternal time and to be forever home.