Born with a stately name of kings, Edward William George, by school age was Eddie, just as Roberts became Bob’s, Michael’s, Mike and so on. Taking their stand in adulthood, countless men resorted back
to given names. Bob’s again become Robert’s Mikes, M i c h a e l s and Eddie’s become Edward’s— except for those who personified the name. Like, Eddie Van Halen, Eddie Bauer, and the Eddie Vedders of the world. Eddie George was one of those who uniquely coined his namesake. Known as Uncle Ed to nieces and nephews, he was loved for an ability to be open in his persona.
During one of Uncle Ed’s last dinners with extended family in a crowded restaurant, he touted his 4-year old grandniece to share her ice-cream. She adamantly resisted. “Can I at least lick the bowl?” he smirked. She again selfishly refused. Finally, when every bit of the chocolate ice-cream was done, persnickety little Sophia pushed the empty bowl to him and said, “Okay, you can have some.” Without hesitation, Uncle Ed leaned into the well scraped bowl with an abrupt licking sound that brought roaring laughter from the table. His grandniece reveled in such abundant joy. A wave of applause echo from those in earshot. That’s just how he was. A child at heart that was never afraid to be himself.
The many who knew him as Ed, may not have known “Ed George” was also the name of his grandfather, whose decedents settled the town of Douglas Wyoming. It was there mom Norma and dad Charlie raised four boys and two girls. The dynamic and amiable Catholic family, nicked named their hometown “Douglas America” in proud admiration. They were well-known in the town of 5,000, where, in 1919 grandpa Ed George, before starting the first insurance company, opened a soda shop called the Kandy Koop right in the center of town. It was a place for ice cream, delightful food and was a happy mainstay of social life for generations.
While growing up in Douglas, the young Ed George worked construction for his father Charlie’s development business. However, he spent every free minute at the local country club challenging
the links with his brothers. Ed eventually received a golf a scholarship to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he met his wife, who soon gave birth to daughter Erin.
Having the looks of John Elway might have brought him some vanity or at very least football talent, Eddie had neither but was supremely gifted in the game of golf. He had a natural swing and uncommon
compulsion to the game that made it easy to master, what takes a lifetime for others to develop. His swing came from his heart, not his head and Eddie never worked at the game, only played. He once
said, “Why practice if you can play? If I don’t do well, I’ll just go out for another round, or two.” For Eddie, 36 holes was a breeze because it was natural.
I loved calling him “Tin Cup” from the movie about Roy McAvoy whose rebellious nature cost him millions, because Ed would just squint his bright blue eyes and say, “Wish you could play like me, huh?” And most golfers did! Ironically the move Tin Cup was released on the day Edward William George turned 39 years old. The movie echoed his belief, that when you are working on your talent you need the best equipment but ‘if you have talent you can hit the golf ball with any stick.’ And he could do just that and wasted no attention on minor details and gadgets.
Things to Eddie were just things and remained scattered randomly all over his car and apartment.
However, the anomaly in his controlled chaos was the kitchen. It was spotless because he loved to cook. Perhaps an inherited trait, I often wondered how a rough- and-tumble guy could have such a knack for a recipe, whether it was his famous pulled pork, salsa, or green chili. They all were as good as his golf game. Even his rum cake, that didn’t get rum! “I made you a rum cake” he once said, “but I drank the rum, now I’m drunk but you have cake.” Either way it was all good, as was Eddie — especially at a party!
We once made the mistake of putting Eddie in charge of the tequila bar at an event in our home. His friendly social instincts unarmed people into a common comfort. And his commitment to task was
monumental. He believed duty as Master of Ceremony was to have a shot with each guest he served. He lasted upright for about an hour and 20 minutes. But as a host his legend lives on. Even waiting tables was an exercise in sharing humanity. He had more repeat customers than most servers because it was not about the tip but the experience that the interaction provided.
Eddie loved to be with people and would go well out of his way to be with those he cared about, especially family. If he worked on or before a holiday and there was a family event out of town, he
would get in his car and drive, and drive and drive. Even if it took all night he’d arrive in time for Christmas morning, a Thanksgiving dinner, a graduation, or a birthday. Regardless of the time of day
or night, he was all about the motion of moving down the highway. He could care less about the brand name of the vehicle because as he loved to say, “A car just gets me from point A to Point B, what’s important, is it’s paid for!”
Eddie George was a minimalist in a time when people are complicated with social needs. He expected no help and never asked. Fiercely independent and proud of his Wyoming roots, he took nothing he didn’t earn and accepted little advice. His friends could always count on him—and enemies, he had none. He did what he wanted, answered to no one and could meet both victory and adversity with the same truth and never breathe a word of regret about either.
These days most of us deep down vainly want to be remembered in our passing as kings. Edward William George worried less about such superficiality. He never resorted to societal trappings or pretense. In his own stately way, no explanation was needed about how he lived. He only wanted to live and let live. His enormous smile, framed by silver hair, was tempered by a shy persona that unarmed most people, making it a joy to be around him. Eddie George could truly “walk with Kings and not lose his common touch” –and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Edward George and Norma Lee (Lundberg) George.
Ed is survived by his daughter Erin George of San Antonio, Texas; and his five siblings, Jeffrey (Linda) George of Fort Collins, Colorado, Randolph (Susan) George of Laramie, Wyoming, Gretchen (Kevin) Palmer of Scottsdale, Arizona, Bridget (Scot) Simons of Aurora, Colorado, and Thomas (Michelle) George of Henderson, Nevada.
A reception and celebration of life has been scheduled at the Douglas Community Club on Saturday, May 27, 2017, from 3-5 p.m. and for those of you that knew Eddie George – shorts and golf attire required.
Kevin J Palmer
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