George was a beloved father of 3, grandfather of 6, husband, brother, uncle and friend to many. He was born in Bernice, Oklahoma on 23 October 1934 to Stuvie C. and Mittie Ann (Hames) Wallen.  He was very proud of his Cherokee ancestry and learned how his family connected with this culture, even learning to communicate in the native language of the Cherokee. 

 

Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma required him to spend long hours in the fields using horse drawn tools and tending the crops. Chores were a necessary part of farm life, and George was the youngest of 6 siblings. When his father moved to Perkins to manage the University farm, he continued in his crop side duties.  Growing up north of Perkins, George enjoyed hunting for small game and riding his bike throughout the dirt roads of the area to visit his friends.  He developed an interest in music relatively early in life and spent a portion of his childhood listening to the radio ... where he preferred big band, country western and bluegrass genres along with the Spike Jones ballads and satires... Does anyone remember "Beetlebaum"? 

 

George traveled to Perkins, Oklahoma throughout his years of public education.  He played in the high school band and graduated as a Perkins High Demon in 1952.  He went on to study biology at Oklahoma A & M and graduated with a BS in 1956 and MS in 1958 specializing in Fishery Science. He married his high school sweetheart Saralee Overholt on September 1, 1955. 

 

George and Saralee raised 3 children and moved numerous times to follow a trail of promotions as he evolved through his career as both a state of Oklahoma and federal Fishery biologist.  Places like Tishomingo, Durant and Tulsa Oklahoma, the Virgina suburbs of Washington DC and finally Lakewood, Colorado.  

 

George was a seeker of knowledge and was a voracious reader of books.  He was an avid angler of warm water fish and spent many weekends with close friends and work colleagues pursuing games with hook and pellets.  George also filled his time here on earth playing music ... including the piano, the 5-string banjo and as a baritone in the church choir everywhere he lived.  George shared an interest in crafting with Saralee by tuning in to his woodworking skills.  He and Saralee developed a small business called Tsisqua Crafts.  George contributed many bird carvings to their crafting business. 

 

George was very civic minded and readily volunteered to benefit noble causes.  Foremost among his efforts were all his volunteer work for every church he ever belonged to. In addition, he was a Boy Scout leader, a voting day volunteer at the polls and a longtime member of Kiwanis 

George enjoyed Bridge clubs, golfing with friends, and later in life he liked to challenge his brain with games like sudoku, Yahtzee and Rummikub. 

 

After he fledged his children, he and Saralee explored the world by traveling to places like Switzerland, England, Spain, Alaska, Hawaii and visiting the six grandchildren. 

 

George is survived by his children Rick and Carolyn (Buttery), Steve and Mary; his grandchildren Erica and Kevin Wallen, Rachel and Tommy Herndon, Chelsea and Brooke Wallen, and many nieces and nephews. 

 

George passed away peacefully on the morning of 4 December under the professional care of hospice.  He will be missed by family and friends and will forever be remembered as a kind and caring person. 

 

The family is not planning a formal funeral or celebration of life service.  George did not want that.  George's ashes will be interred at the columbarium at the Green Mountain Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, Colorado.  Rick, Mary, and Steve ask that you take a moment to think about your favorite memory of George and smile. 

 

"There's a better home awaiting, In the sky Lord, in the sky.". Performed by many but written by A.P. Carter of the famous Carter family.  George loved to play this song on his banjo.