Glenn Franklin George

Glenn Franklin George, a devout husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather passed away peacefully on January 5th, 2025 at the Gunnison Senior Care Center at the age of 92 years. 

Glenn was born on December 15th, 1932 in Salida, Colorado to Lawrence B. “Shorty” George and Luvinia Nancy (Clark) George. His parents were living in Sargents at the time and the only way to get to the hospital in Salida was via the train over Marshall Pass. His love and knowledge of local trains started that day. 

His early years were spent beside his dad working at various ranches in the valley, mainly the Means Ranch in Sargents, the Field Land and Cattle Ranch in Parlin and the Allen Ranches up Ohio Creek and Crested Butte. The family spent summers at the old cow camp above Crested Butte. They covered all the county above Crested Butte on horseback and he loved to share this knowledge with pride. 

All of his 12 years of schooling were in the Gunnison School District, graduating from GCHS in 1950. Glenn was an athlete participating in football and basketball. After graduation, he made the decision to enlist in the US Marine Corp on a cold, -52-degree morning feeding cattle by horse team. He figured “what am I doing this for?”. He rose to the rank of Sargent while serving in the Korean War as a Radioman. 

After serving, he utilized his GI Bill to attend Western State College and graduated with an BA Degree. He was the first in his family to graduate college. One of his best memories of these years was pulling the train rails of the same railroad that he rode on as a newborn. 

He met the love of his life and best friend, Melva Leonard, at The Sweet Shop in Gunnison and they were married on July 27th, 1958. They celebrated their 66th anniversary July 2024. Wherever Glenn was, Melva was right beside him.

The couple traveled around with various jobs and ended up in Denver working at the Denver Livestock Exchange. His major accomplishment there was to combine all the individual brokers into one, creating the centralized livestock sales system that was used at the National Western Stockshow during that time.

Glenn and Melva were able to purchase their first home in Northglenn and started their family. In 1970, they knew city living wasn’t for them and moved their family back to Gunnison with the opportunity to work at the First National Bank where he retired as a Board Member, comptroller and other main positions in 1991. 

Glenn was very active in many local organizations and board of directors. These organizations included the Chamber of Commerce, County Adjustments Land Use, Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District, CSU Experiment Station, and the Pioneer Museum. His 2 proudest were 26 years on the Cattleman’s Days Committee as Treasure and Treasurer of the O.T.A. Baseball and was also on the 1st Babe Ruth Baseball Board. Supporting the local 4-H Program was very important to Glenn and Melva with over 40 years of clerking the Livestock Sale. 

Family was the highest priority and he made time for everything when not working. Jeeping, camping and backpack trips, playing catch in the front yard, he never missed any event that his kids were involved in as well as his grandkids. After retirement, the couple started biking with Kenny and Kay George and covered many trails in the US. Up to his final day, Glenn continued to joke and tease as he had done his entire life.

The modest person that Glenn was, he was pretty proud to have been one of the only people to have ridden a horse, rode in a train, drove a car, rode his bike and walked pulling the train rails from Crested Butte to Gunnison, some being done well into his 70’s. 

Preceded in death by the love of his life Melva, his parents L.B. and Luvinia George, his half sisters Dorothy, Anna Mae and Margaret, his brothers Lawrence Jr. and Kennith George. Survived by his son Brad (Sheri) George, and daughter Keri George. His three grandchildren, Nick Kvachkoff, Ally Kvachkoff and Bethany George, great granddaughter Lyla Marie and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18th, 11:00 at Webster Hall. 

The George Family would like to thank all the caregivers at the Gunnison Valley Hospital and the Senior Care Center for the wonderful care they provided to Glenn and his family. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the 4-H Forever Fund, Gunnison Senior Care Center and Gunnison Pioneer Museum or charity of choice.