George Poznich

George William Poznich, 83 years, has passed-away surrounded by family and friends at his home in Houston, Texas: Monday, November 18, 2013 at 8:15 am. He will be greatly missed by all who have been touched by his enormous capacity to Love us.
George was born to Paul and Amelia (Hacin) Poznich, February 22, 1930 in Mulberry, Kansas; a child of the depression era, who's hard working character traits were fostered in difficult-times. When George was 7 years their family bought a small farm and moved to Weir, Kansas, where he attended and graduated Weir High School; class of 1947. A small-town school where everybody knew everybody, and liked everybody; a good place to learn and grow.
That year he proudly joined the naval reserves, and during the Korean War he served aboard the WWII veteran flag ship, BB-62, USS New Jersey; destined to become the most decorated battleship in the U.S. Fleet, the feared 'Big J,' or notorious 'Black Dragon' while on tour in Vietnam, serving lastly in the Persian Gulf until Her final decommission in 1991, after nearly 50 years of exemplary service.
He was honorably discharged in 1953, forever proud of his days as a mariner aboard 'Big J'; his service to his country, but a few years-which only lasted a lifetime.
He married Clara Lavonne (Bonnie) Walker, July 18, 1955, in the catholic church of Weir. He and Bonnie raised two children after they moved to Wichita, Kansas where he'd joined Local 441 in 1949, thereafter working as a steamfitter/pipe fitter and returning to school at WSU; he remained a supportive card-carrying member until his expiration.
He was hired by Harry Litwin in 1965, of 'The Litwin Corporation' as an instrumentation engineer. In 1987 Litwin Corporation merged their Wichita office with their Houston office and after 32 years in Wichita and Derby, sadly, they said farewell to many friends and neighbors and relocated to start anew. They made a home among new-found friends in a peaceful little neighbor hood, Hunter's Valley.
Over the next few years Litwin Engineers passed through several owners until purchased by Raytheon Inc. which ended its engineering legacy. In 1996, along with the best and brightest, the core, many of Litwin's prized employees, he went to work for Mustang Engineers; there he continued working with his beloved life-long coworkers until his retirement in 2010 at the age of 80 years; Mustang engineering-a company renowned and emulated by industry today, still grows in stature.
Throughout his career he'd befriended and mentored a number of young engineers and designers (many dreaded and some were very familiar with the red-chicken-scratcher, his green pen much preferred) while they traveled the world, working hard, enjoying their pride in jobs notably well done. His friends at the office have missed him since his retirement-almost as much as he missed them.
He gave of himself freely and his love generously, sometimes reliving and telling stories of the many wild adventures him and his best buddy, John, had while growing up in small-town, USA; where most stories sent him and John in for a refit and bandage to the local bone-crusher, Doc Deal; both well known by all for their exploits and tribulations.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years: daughter Cynthia Sook & husband David: son, Brian. Four grandchildren: Catherine Sook, Joseph Sook, Henry Sook & wife Crystal, Mary Carselowey & husband Tyler: six great grandchildren. Many cherished nieces and nephews; he's proud of each and loves you all more than mere words could express.
Survived also by his life-long friends, Don, Chuck, Rick and many others along with their wives; whose names are to numerous to list here; know who you are.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Paul and John and his sister Evelyn (Naccarato,) who filled a special place in his heart, unquestioned.
Those that love him know such loss; our world has suddenly changed, forevermore. We Love You George.
Visitation will be at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 22, at 7:00 pm, in Weir, Kansas. Services will follow Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1:00 pm; interment will be upon Hosey Hill Cemetery just outside of his home town.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to the John L. Penrod Educational Scholarship Fund. Friends may drop off or mail their memorials to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, 104 W. Main St. Weir, KS. 66781.