George Isley, Jr.

A long and loving life ended on Tuesday, August 17, 2010, when George Albert Isley Jr. died at the age of 100.

George was born on February 8, 1910, in Dundee Lake, New Jersey, to George and Sadie Isley. He had four siblings, all of whom predeceased him.  He graduated from Newark Technical School and subsequently interned and worked for General Electric for forty two years, retiring in 1968. He married Dorothy Lillian Curtin in 1934.  She preceded him in death in 2002.

George and Dorothy moved several times in their married life: their homes included Montclair, NJ; Cedar Grove, NJ; Ballston Center, NY; Bloomington, IL; Sarasota, FL; Estero, FL; and finally Lawrence, KS., in 1984 to be nearer to family.

George is survived by his daughter, Carol Isley and husband, Dan Abrahamson of Lawrence.  His son, George III who died in 2006, is survived by his wife, Carol Jean Isley, who shares in the family’s grief.  George’s extended family includes 8 grandchildren: Emily Cates and Rik Abrahamson of Lawrence; Heather Williams and Jennifer Towle of Topeka;  Skip Isley and Geoff Isley in Pennsylvania; Meri Coler in Ohio; and Colin Oravec in New York; 26 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.

George’s lifetime was highlighted by a true love for God and a desire to share the Christian life with those around him.  He was always perceived as a gentle and caring man with values he wasn’t afraid to espouse. He always took his share of responsibility in various churches he attended, most recently the Free Methodist Church of Lawrence.  He was an avid student of the Bible and a reader of non-fiction, especially that of a spiritual nature.

As a younger man, George was known for his solo tenor voice and sang in various churches and civic choirs. His hobbies included building models of trains and of the various homes his family had lived in, all to near perfect scale.  He and Dorothy enjoyed travel when they were able, including visits to relatives in England and friends in Norway. They maintained contact with many friends all over the country and world with annual Christmas greetings.  George and Dorothy were loved and respected by all.

George willed his remains to KU Medical Center. There will not be a formal memorial service at the present time, but both George and Dorothy will be laid to rest at an inurnment service at Sutton Cemetery, which will be announced at a future date.
 

Memorials can be sent to Warren Mc-Elwain Mortuary where they will be forwarded  according to his wishes to the Lawrence Free Methodist Church and International Students Incorporated of Colorado Springs.