George John MCLEOD

McLEOD, George John
January 12, 1929 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
January 7, 2018 - San Diego, California
It is with sadness, but with gratitude for a life well-lived, that we announce the passing of George McLeod, while on vacation in California, after visiting with all his family.
Left to honour his memory are Elizabeth, his wife of 67 years, his children, Jolie (Dan) Peach, Kim (Lee) Montgomery, Lachlan (Gail) McLeod, Meredith (Rick) Merkel; grandchildren, Kenton (Liz) Peach, Kayla (Gerard) Prieto, Skye Montgomery, Connor Montgomery, Ariana McLeod, Jared McLeod, Carmen (Jason) Merkel, Jeffrey Merkel, Madelaine (Hassan) Sayed and great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Amelia.
George was predeceased by his siblings, Hazel Jourdin, Mildred Derrick, Carl McLeod and Don McLeod.
George was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK and attended Nutana Collegiate. While at the University of Saskatchewan he discovered his passion for geology, specifically in the field of oil exploration. His career spanned 65 years, with positions at Canadian Superior of California, Trident Drilling, U.S. Mining and Smelting, Canadian Devonian, and Samedan Oil of Canada. He was the Canadian manager in Samedan's Calgary office, and was promoted to Vice President of the company in their head office in Ardmore, Oklahoma. He retired in 1986 as President of Samedan's parent company, Noble Affiliates.
Unwilling to leave the oil patch behind, upon his return to Calgary he formed Geolock Resources with his son Lachlan. He reluctantly retired from active participation in Geolock in 2016.
He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Oil Patch Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame in 2003. He also funded the George McLeod Chair in Geology at his alma mater, the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Dad was able to indulge another of his passions - flying. He had his pilot's license and a Cessna 182, and he was happiest to be in the air. He enjoyed a game of golf or two, playing bridge with good friends, driving with no particular destination in mind, and travelling the world, especially to Britain.
But the way he will be chiefly remembered is for his generous spirit. There are countless people he helped both professionally and personally, some of whom will never know the name of their benefactor. He believed that the truest generosity lives in silence.
A Celebration of George's Life will be held on a date yet to be determined. The family asks, if you are so moved, to make a donation in George's name, to the Ore Gangue Alumni Bursary Fund. Cheques can be made out to The University of Saskatchewan, and mailed to University Relations, University of Saskatchewan, G15 Thorvaldsen Building, 110 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.
In living memory of George McLeod, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.