George W. FENIMORE Jr.

FENIMORE, George W. Jr.
January 15, 1921 - July 21, 2013
George W. Fenimore, 92, died peacefully Sunday July 21, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California with his family at his side.
Mr. Fenimore was a long-time Los Angeles resident, corporate executive, and active leader in Westside service and charitable organizations.
Born in Bertrand, Missouri in 1921, he was raised on his family farm. At age 16 he left for Chicago earning his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration from Northwestern University in June 1941. That Fall, he entered Northwestern Law School and completed one year before enlisting in the Army Air Force. He subsequently earned his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1943 through the Army Air Force Statistical School established under the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He served in a variety of positions in the Air Force Office of Statistical Control at the Pentagon and developed many long-term relationships with icons in the burgeoning aerospace industry including Whiz Kids leader Colonel Charles B. "Tex" Thornton.
Following World War II, Mr. Fenimore resumed his legal education at Harvard University, earning his JD in 1947. He immediately joined Ford Motor Company in Detroit, but it was his 1948 move to Hughes Aircraft in Culver City that brought him to Southern California. He worked directly with Howard Hughes and often led dignitaries on tours of the mothballed "Spruce Goose." Mr. Fenimore left Hughes in 1954 and after a short stint at Packard Bell, he spent a decade in various executive positions at TRW, becoming Vice President and General Manager of TRW International.
Underscoring his love of Southern California, he declined a TRW promotion to move to Cleveland, Ohio and instead chose to join Beverly Hills-based Litton Industries in 1965. In over 20 years at its corporate headquarters, Mr. Fenimore culminated his service with Litton as Senior Vice President and Corporate Secretary.
Following his retirement from Litton, Mr. Fenimore remained quite active holding executive positions at Held/Jones Real Estate Development and Management and Peck/Jones Construction. He also held Management Consultant positions with Western Atlas, Unova Inc., and Northrop-Grumman. In addition to these roles, he spent two decades as a Mediator and Arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association. Recognized for his energy and commitment to service, he was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, Governor Pete Wilson to the California State Teachers Retirement Board, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Fraud Assessment Commission.
Known for his philanthropy and generosity, Mr. Fenimore tirelessly aided his community through numerous charities and civic organizations. A pillar of Beverly Hills public service, he was a Past President of the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and YMCA. He served on numerous Boards and Councils and devoted significant time and energy to four notable Southern California charities: Children's Bureau of Southern California, Westside Food Bank, Child SHARE (Shelter Homes a Rescue Effort), and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). He was a long-time member and deacon of the Westwood Presbyterian Church.
He leaves behind his three children, Lindsey (Gary), Marian and George (Jan), and six grandchildren, Lauren, Jenna, Meagan, Charlie, Ben, and William. His wife of 46 years, Benetta preceded him in death in 1996. Mr. Fenimore will be remembered for his energy, generosity, humility, passion, patriotism, and die-hard devotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A memorial service will be held at the Westwood Presbyterian Church on Tuesday July 30 at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Westwood Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 10822 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 or The John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation, 11620 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 270, Los Angeles, CA 90025