The Memorial

The service for George was a truly beautiful and meaningful event - in the words of Artie - he would have fully approved (although modestly objected that we were making too much fuss). We all really appreciate everyone who came to support George, us, and our collective memory of George R. Thayer. I'll post a photo of his headstone at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. For now though, here is a photo of George and his parents (1934).

I would still love to post more stories and remembrances - feel free to send.

From Rich and Susan Tantilla

It took me a while to be able to write about George. He was a dear friend, a mentor and part of my family.

I meet George for the first time in 1979 walking down my street trying to get listings. I wasn’t interested at the time but there was a connection that lasted 31 years. I ended up buying 2 houses and selling one thru him. We talked real estate, stocks, wines and even had a Sunday wine tasting by the pool that eventually included both my sons and brother in law. Mind you, we were not tasting vintage bottles…….but the best bottles under $4.99. We shared families, friends and life.

I was honored to meet Tim and Nick, Dale and Family, Artie and Family, MJ and George, Jon and Carla and many others. George was always keeping all his close ties together. The old saying, To Know Him is To love him.

We, along with MJ and George, Jon and Carla and his friends were quick to acknowledge, what started out as fondness and friendship, ended not only as caring but love. He was a true gentlemen and friend.

We all have our George stories, arriving home and finding him reading and watching the news, sitting out by the pool with some wine and eventually, sleeping on the couch. Our lives were blessed by his friendship, our families graced by his presence. He was Family.

Since moving 4 years ago to Tennesse, we were only able to see George once a year. We received his stock picks, jokes and articles weekly and talked over the phone a few times a month. Although never enough it was all that could be done.

George always surrounded himself with what he loved, family, friends, wine, traveling, stocks, cooking and of course cars. All of these things he loved deeply but the one thing that made it all come together was his marriage to Artie. He now had a friend, a lover, a business associate and a companion to share this all with.

May God Bless you George, as he has blessed us in knowing you.

- Rich, Susan and Family

From Aunt Ruth

My sister, Kathryn, was George Jr's mother. I was thirteen when Kathryn and George Sr. told us they were expecting a child. This child, George Jr. would be my parents (Phoebe and Henry Kettwich) first grandchild. Kathryn and George Sr. lived in Chenoa, IL, a distance of approximately 30 miles from my parents farm in rural Minonk, IL. Most Sunday's Kathryn and George Sr. came to my parent's home so my mother and Kathryn spent the afternoons making baby quilts and clothing.

Finally the expected phone call arrived, George Jr. was born. Everyone was excited, even my rather stern father, showed signs of excitement. George Jr. was born at home and shortly after his birth my mother stayed with them in their one bedroom home.

Once Kathryn was able to travel they resumed their Sunday visits to Minonk. My mother carefully planned the day so she would have adequate time holding and playing with George Jr. Many times I would travel back to Chenoa with them, spending the week and return home the following weekend. I remember when George Jr. was starting to crawl he found a worm on the floor of the screened porch and proceed to place it in his mouth. The worm was quickly removed.

When George Jr. was 2/3 the family moved from Chenoa to ElPaso, IL. For the move I was in charge of George Jr. I remember him walking around the new home crying and indicating he wanted to go home, meaning Chenoa. George Jr. would spend extra time at the Kettwich farm; he always enjoyed playing with the baby chicks and gathering eggs with my mother. When it was time for George Jr. to go home my mother always had a goodie bag for him filled with cookies, candy, apples or oranges.

When I was 17/18 my boyfriend and I would travel to ElPaso, 15 miles from the farm, and baby-sit with George Jr. I think George Jr. was about eight when they moved to Jacksonville, IL.

George Jr. and I have always had a special relationship. Throughout the years I enjoyed my visits to California and always looked forward to his phone calls and notes.

Aunt Ruth (Timmerman)