George Anthony Shearer September 23, 1937 ~ September 27, 2020

George was the oldest child of George James and Helen Louise Mumma Shearer. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and lived beside the Cedar River. In Iowa he spent a lot of his life with Bohemian grandmother Eleanor Shearer (Dvorak). At age 7 George and family moved to Park Rapids, Minnesota. He lived on the family resort on Eagle Lake, fishing, hiking, hunting, cleaning cabins, painting cabins, helping his mom with beds, changing diapers – you name it he did it. They lived in a log cabin sleeping six kids in a bunk bed his dad built, 3 kids on each level. They had a picnic table for a table with a newspaper for a tablecloth hence his love to read. He lived rural, limiting what he could do as the bus ride was over an hour to school. At catholic school he rode in the morning with his dad and ate oatmeal with the nuns. He was an alter boy. In high school he cleaned turkey pens and his dad picked up his check to support the family. He would go for days with the canoe with his brother Steve and dog Dick fishing, hunting and ate whatever they caught, shot, and trapped. Hence his love of the outdoors. George graduated from Park Rapids High School in Park Rapids, Minnesota.

At 17 he joined the Army Guard and after graduation he joined active duty Unites States Air Force. Living at Parks Air Force Base in Amarillo, Texas, Portsmouth Air Force Base – later Pease – Zaragosa Air Force Base, Spain, Kinchelor Air Force Base, Norton Air Force Base. 1965 – 1976 in the 1198 ^th O & E Squad, which came under the headquarter CIA. He had a high security clearance. We all thought he was in Thailand in and out for 10 years, gone 30 days – home 30 days, gone a year – home 30 days. Some of his activities were extremely dangerous and he could never discuss them. Since his death some were revealed including, helping prisoners escape, airlifting 2,600 orphans out. He never admitted to anything on his death bed, but when asked all he would say is that not all of them made it out.

George married Barbara Edith (Carlson) on November 29, 1958 at Saint Rapheals Catholic Church in Kettery, Maine. He loved it when our first son was born and fed him, played with him and then of course with the other kids. His life after the Air force revolved around family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When George would travel or be at restaurants, he would always pull out his wallet and shared, starting with “you’ve never seen my grandkid?..most beautiful kid in the world”. All I could think was that they probably had beautiful grandchildren too.

George had a love for reading, reading over 2,200 books. He was very gifted man who could build needed items ranging from toilet seats, to table and chairs and even a bed. He then built a whole rifle – not a kit but built the whole thing from the wood to the screws etc. etc. He did water and oil paintings, wood characters, full size antique cradle with the bonnet, guitars, violins and lutes. Many years were spent in the Owyhee desert maintaining the blue bird nesting boxes. He had a Model A but his hands were to affected by rheumatoid arthritis to finish the project. George would hike up into small lakes by himself all over Idaho catching fish.

Barbara and George spent a lot traveling in Mexico bringing toys for children there after seeing them using parts of cars for a horn etc. to have a parade. They went on a barefoot cruise to the Bahamas, Swimming Lost City. Wintering in Port Arkansas, Texas and Foothills & Welton, Arizona meeting and making lifetime friends.

George suffered with cancer 6 times, was proud of being in the Air Force and working for Hewlett Packard. He loved nature and was a mostly quiet man who loved his family.

George is survived by his wife; Barbara Shearer, son; George Shearer (Kathy Wing), daughters; Monica L. Crist (Allen L. Crist) and Cheryl J. Ross, grandchildren; Zackery Crist, Jake Crist, Emily Ford, Gretchen (Ross) Flores, Rachael Ross and 7 great-grandchildren; James Steven Shearer (Anita), Joseph Shearer, John Shearer, Teresa Shearer, Richard Shearer (Nancy), Maureen Shearer

He was preceded in death by his Son; Phillip Anthony Shearer and parents; George James Shearer and Helen Louise (Mumma) Shearer, siblings; Robert Shearer, Jerome Shearer, Mariella Shearer Piazza and Marilyn Shearer.

In place of memorials, do something with or for a child and share the experience with Barbara at barbrealtor@msn.com .

A reception will follow the funeral with directions available at the service.