George Winfred Self

George Winfred Self, 85, passed peacefully to his heavenly home Friday, October 13, 2023, at his sister’s home in Pampa, Texas. His loving daughter and son in law, Kristi and Larry Shade, along with Sheila White, his devoted sister-in-law, were by his side.

George was born the eldest of four children to George W. Self and Pearl Iwilla (Christie) Self on April 16, 1938 in Clarendon, Texas. George grew up on the family cotton farm in Hudgin community, a small community about 12 miles from Clarendon. He spoke frequently and fondly of playing with cousins, and neighboring kids. He was followed by the birth of three sisters. George took his role of big brother very seriously to his sisters Linda, Norma and Maudena. One remembrance he had was of ironing his little sister’s dresses. He dearly loved his little sisters and was a devoted son.

As a young man, George attended Calvary Baptist Church in Clarendon and was, in fact, a founding member. The building had been a laundromat prior to the church acquiring the building. George spoke of the memory of moving out all the washers and dryers in order to create the sanctuary space. He graduated from Clarendon High School in 1956. He played in the band, ran track, and played football for one year. He was a studious student who excelled academically.

He met his wife, Marilee Smith, at a youth event at First Baptist Church of Lelia Lake when she was a senior in high school in Lelia Lake and George was in his first year at Clarendon College. They married on November 23, 1957. George completed a two-year degree at Clarendon College and then attended West Texas State in Canyon. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry and minors in Mathematics and Physics, in May 1967. Marilee attended Clarendon College while George started at West Texas State in Canyon in fall 1958. Marilee completed her college at West Texas State in 1961 and began her education career in Canyon as a first-grade teacher.

George and Marilee had three children while he attended college. He held down numerous jobs to support his growing family. While attending Clarendon College he drove an early morning school bus and ran the projector at the drive-in theater at night. After he started college in Canyon, he ran the movie projector in Canyon, and actually lived and slept in the theater for the year that Marilee was attending Clarendon College. He drove back to Clarendon to get his clothes washed and help his father-in-law, Leo Smith, on his cotton farm. In 1963, George started working at Pantex as a Senior Chemical Analyst. He received top government clearance from the 4th Army for this position. Upon George’s graduation, he selected a position with Ray-O-Vac Division, ESB Inc in Madison, Wisconsin. He remained with Ray-O-Vac from June 1967 to December 1973. His next position was in the mining industry as Chief Chemist with Ozark Lead in Salem, Missouri, from January 1974 to September 1976. He then continued in the mining industry with Kennecott Copper at the Ray Mine in Kearney, Arizona, from November 1976 to June 1982. He also worked for Inspiration Copper and ASARCO Copper prior to his retirement in 1996.

George accomplished his dream of obtaining his pilot’s license in 1971. He then purchased an interest in a Stinson as part of a partnership in 1972. Perhaps his most memorable flight was flying the family in his Stinson from Wisconsin to Clarendon in the summer of 1973. He got a big kick buzzing his in-laws’ house and seeing his mother-in-law, Mary Jane, frantically waving her apron from end of the driveway. Leo was so proud to have George fly him over the cotton crops and to sightsee from the air around Donley County.

After the family relocated to Missouri, George bought a Cessna 150. He owned that Cessna 150 for many years. Each time the family relocated; the Cessna came with them. He flew it from Missouri to Arizona and then upon retiring, George flew the Cessna to Clarendon.

In 1986, while living in Arizona, George discovered a 1946 J3 Piper Cub in a barn near his in-laws’ in Lelia Lake. George loaded it on a trailer and hauled it to Arizona, where he rebuilt it over span of several years. The Cub was in numerous pieces and needed a complete engine rebuild and he researched and mastered the art of replacing the fabric covering the wings and fuselage. He flew the Cub for many years in Arizona and then flew it to Clarendon after his retirement. George loved his Cub!

In addition to his love of flying, he enjoyed woodworking and did beautiful lathe work. George created lamps, vases, candle stick holders, bowls, and candy dishes. If you have a piece of George’s woodwork, you are a fortunate individual. He made many wooden toys for his grandchildren which are now cherished and loved by his great grandchildren. Another passion of George’s was rock collecting. He would never miss an opportunity to ride out in the Arizona desert in his Jeep to search for rock specimens. His collection was extensive, and he enjoyed discussing it with anyone who showed an interest.

He and Marilee shared a love for camping and spent much time touring Texas parks. They eventually parked their Airstream in Cimarron, NM, and established a tight friendship with a group of fellow campers over the course of several years.

George spoke many times of wanting a motorcycle and purchased one in his mid-fifties. He then drove it through Arizona mountains on long commutes to work for several years. He gave Marilee some of her gray hairs in those years.

He is survived by his three children, Kristi Shade (Larry), Mitch (Elena Self), and Brad (Yoshi Self), five grandchildren, Courtney Shade-McGinty (Ryan), Laura Shade-Walters (Clint), Mateo Self (Jessica), Nico Self, and Jeffery Self, and eight great-grandchildren: Parker McGinty, Molly McGinty, Lucy McGinty, Micah Walters, Jack Walters, Georgia Walters, Elliot Self and Anthony Self. He is also survived his sisters Norma Hinkle (Darryl), and Maudena Dunn (Joe), and his sister-in-law, Sheila White.

George and Sheila had a special relationship. She was only 18 months old when George and Marilee married. George could always count on Sheila for love and support. Sheila adored George and called him her “rock”. Sheila was George’s rock the last two years of his life. He looked forward to her phone calls to reminisce about the old days. The simpler days. She made frequent trips to visit George in Beaumont, Texas, where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Marilee, and his sister, Linda Lewis.

George cherished his role as Gigi George to his great-grandchildren. His granddaughter, Courtney McGinty, facetimed routinely for George to visit with Parker, Molly and Lucy. He enjoyed hearing Parker telling him all about his latest hockey win. Molly and Lucy would entertain him with their latest dance and gymnastic moves. The McGinty family traveled from Ohio to celebrate Gigi George’s 85th birthday! He got to What a grand time he had! Laura Walters, his youngest granddaughter, Facetimed almost daily. Micah and Jack were always full of squeals and high energy! George delighted in hearing “Hi Gigi George! Watch me do this!”

When Laura announced her pregnancy, George was hoping hard for a little girl. He spoke many times of likely names for the little girl that he just knew Laura would have. They chose not to know the gender till birth. Imagine his delight in learning that indeed it was a girl, and her name was Georgia! He was able to see his little namesake in person when his daughter, Kristi, and son in law, Larry, drove him to Dallas. He wanted Georgia to know how much he loved her even though she would have no memory of him.

George made many friends along life’s way. Everyone who knew George knew him as extremely kind, loving, and generous. He was a gentle and peaceful man with an enormous heart and wonderful sense of humor. George understood that the time and effort spent to love and honor someone was always time well spent, and always rewarded. George had a Christian love for all in his life. He was a loving husband and devoted father, worthy of respect and honor. He was the friend you could always count on.

George was laid to rest in Clarendon Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Tunnels to Towers.