Ralph George

Ralph LeRoy George, 86, passed away September 23, 2014 at North Point Skilled Nursing, Paola, KS. Ralph was born in Paola, KS, the son of Archie A. and Elsie (Renner) George. He was united in marriage on August 14, 1948 to Maxine Marie Erwin of Manhattan, KS. They have lived in Louisburg for the past four years. Ralph graduated from Paola High School and from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He farmed with his father until 1953 when he and Maxine moved to Topeka, KS. He was involved with the ROTC at Kansas State, then enlisted with the Battery C, 1st Battalion, 127th Field Infantry, Paola, in 1949. In 1953 he became a full-time technician with the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO) at Fort Riley and transferred to the 110th Ordnance Company. He moved to Topeka with the USPFO and joined the newly organized 714th Ordnance Company. He played an important role as a section sergeant to build unit personnel strength. In 1954 he became part of a new unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 496th Ordnance Group. After several promotions, he ran the administration and supply line when the 496th was mobilized in 1961 during the Berlin Wall crisis. He served as Command Sergeant Major until the unit was returned to state service in 1962. Ralph retired from the Kansas Army National Guard after 38 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Maxine George; children, Nancy (James) Mellott and Dennis (Louise Fager) George; grandchildren, Daniel Fager-George, Lia (Christopher) Franke and Sarah Kelly; great grandchildren, Celia and Luke Kelly. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Museum of the Kansas National Guard, 6700 SW Topeka, Blvd., Topeka, KS 66619 or Crossroads Hospice, 11150 Thompson Avenue, Lenexa, KS 66219.