Aaron "Peter" George's Obituary
Aaron George Sr., affectionately known as “Peter,” son of Clyde Hinton George and Oressa Johnnie George, was born April 11, 1923, in Weatherford, Texas. Ninety-three years later he passed peacefully in his home in San Diego, California, on February 6, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Oressa George, brothers John and James George, and sisters Margaret Fountain-Cox and Della Burnett. Aaron’s life was full of love, and he gave love. In 1943 he married Viessie George (who preceded him in death); together they had his first daughter, Cynthia Faye. In 1950 he married O’Nita J. George (who preceded him in death); during that union Aaron Jr. (who preceded him in death), Linda Vietta, Glenda Joyce, and Philip Anthony were born. Aaron later met Evelyn George (who preceded him in death), and he became stepfather to her daughters, Julie and Elizabeth. As part of The Great Migration out of the South, Aaron moved with his parents and siblings to San Diego, California in the late 1940s. Having learned the dry cleaning trade in Texas when he was 15 years old, he worked at Top Hat Cleaners in El Cajon, California; he later purchased the business and remained its owner and operator for many years before selling it. At one point he owned and operated seven dry cleaners throughout San Diego County including Imig Park Cleaners in the Webster neighborhood of San Diego. He enjoyed decades of success as well as giving back to both his professional and his local communities. In the 1960s he joined the Board of Dry Cleaners Association; he was later recognized for his contributions and elected president of the Board. In the 1970s, during his tenure on the Board of Dry Cleaners Association, work frequently took him to the State Capital where he met (former) Governor Jerry Brown. As part of his work he went into prisons to teach inmates how to dry clean and press clothing so that they could learn a trade and be able to make a living when they were released. He was always glad to help those looking to help themselves. In 1971 he joined the El Cajon Valley Lions Club where he remained a lifetime member until his passing. His sense of adventure led him to join the Independent Order of Foresters in the 1980s, and in1999 he joined The El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812, further extending his family of lodge brothers. As an active part of the Webster community, Aaron was very well known for decorating his home with Christmas lights. The tradition began in his dry cleaning business, which he decorated with lights and tinsel each year during the holidays. After he sold the business in 1986, he moved the festivities to his home where the Christmas decorations became more and more elaborate: lights became lots and lots of lights, then even more lights as well as new displays and moving scenery. He even created a Ferris wheel and a carousel for stuffed toys out of the machinery left over from his dry cleaning business. The event, which became known as “Aaron’s Christmas Lane,” became an annual tradition in the neighborhood; adults who had visited as children brought kids of their own. Each year Aaron enjoyed passing out candy canes, having guests sign the visitors’ book, and greeting parents with their children. Over the decades of Aaron’s Christmas Lane he worked with lady friend Diana Vennable (who preceded him in death), her Rotarian group, and his Lions Club to orchestrate an event that drew tour buses and a multitude of visitors, donated toys to hundreds of children, and included a live Santa Claus (delivered by fire truck, thanks to San Diego Fire Department). He was featured on the KGTV local news and Ken Kramer’s About San Diego on KPBS. The tradition of Aaron’s Christmas Lane lasted until Aaron could no longer design the displays himself. Though he had offers of assistance, building each display to perfection was part of his fun. In 2012 he sold and gave away the major parts of the scenery so he would no longer be tempted to climb ladders and string lights, but he continued to decorate the inside of his home because he loved the holiday so much. During the rest of the year Aaron could often be found in his front yard enjoying the sun, his flowers, and his music. He enjoyed many kinds of music –R&B, gospel, a little bit country, and a little bit of Christmas music, too. He loved his flowers, and he loved his little dog, Bijon (who preceded him in death); her appearance in family photos and at family events proved it. He took pride in caring for his home as much as his personal style. He was well known for his keen eye for detail as much as his kindness, his love (and hate) of politics, and his cheerful temperament. Above all he was always a gentleman, and for that he will be remembered. Aaron leaves behind a great number of loved ones to cherish his memory and tell his stories: children Cynthia Peek, Linda Turner (son-in-law Robert Turner Sr.), Glenda Paterson, and Philip George Sr.; sister Mary Rolland; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a host of caring nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces; Lions brothers, Elk brothers, Rotarians, and friends and neighbors.The George Family
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