Lloyd “Gene” George, age 88, passed away at the Christian Health Care Center on Friday, January 31, 2020. He was known for his vast knowledge of science while having a great sense of humor.

Lloyd was born August 22, 1931, on the Ediger family homestead in Wakita, Oklahoma, to parents Percy and Erma (Ediger) George. He graduated from Selman High School.

Lloyd served 4 years in the United States Navy from 1950 through 1954, touring Japan, Korea, Mariana Islands, Philippine Islands on the USS Delta (AR-9) and then the USS Lipan (AT-85). He was on the USS Lipan during one of the atomic bomb detonations at Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.

He married Darlene Trobridge on April 21, 1952, and together had sons Lloyd, Raymond and Clarence.

Lloyd attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University earning his Bachelors of Science Degree. He started teaching high school science at Julesburg, Colorado in 1958. In 1960 the family moved to Fullerton, Nebraska. Lloyd worked for the Traveling Science Teacher Program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. In 1962, he started working as a Lecturer for the National Aerospace Education Association in the Spacemobile Program. Lloyd presented models of space vehicles and demonstrations to schools and on TV, promoting the NASA Space Program. He lectured at the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962.

Lloyd taught high school science at Fullerton, Nebraska, and also Lincoln, Nebraska.

In 1968, the family moved to the Seattle area where he taught science at the junior high level.

In 1975, Lloyd and Darlene moved to Forks, Washington, where he taught science at Forks High School. In 1982, he retired from teaching to open up a Gem and Jewelry Store. He was a political activist and belonged to many civic organizations, including Lynden Lions Club and Forks Lions Club, American Legion, VFW, West End Business and Professional Association, and Elks Lodge. After about 30 years, Lloyd and Darlene retired and moved to Lynden in 2005.

Lloyd enjoyed being a hobby farmer on his son Ray’s farm. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, clamming, crabbing and gathering chanterelle mushrooms and berries. He was a jack of all trades and a master of some. He was quick-witted and had a good sense of humor.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dick and Teddy and his son Clarence. He is survived by his wife Darlene; sons Lloyd (Debbie), Raymond (Glorene) and daughter-in-law Lorie (Clarence); 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

You are invited to join family and friends for visitation at Gillies Funeral Home on Friday, February 7, 2020, from 4-7 p.m.

Graveside will be at Hillsdale Cemetery on Saturday, February 8, at 9:45 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at Faith Reformed Church, Lynden, Washington.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.