George Esslinger

George D. Esslinger, aged 82, of Tucson, Arizona, entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 20, 2026, culminating a valiant and courageous 30-year journey with cancer.

His story began across the world in Frankfurt, Germany, where he was born Jörg Detlef Pohl on May 22, 1943, to Hannelore Wilhelmine (Gärtner) and Georg Pohl. Tragically losing his biological father, Georg, to the battlefields of World War II in Northern Macedonia in 1944, George’s early life was shaped by profound resilience. After immigrating to the United States, his mother married Donald Esslinger, who gave George the surname he would carry with pride. George was raised beneath the wide-open skies of Roswell, New Mexico, where he graduated from Roswell High School in 1962.

On December 6, 1969, George married the love of his life, Rebecca "Becky" Louise Johnson, forging a beautiful 56-year partnership. George was a man whose profound faith in Christ anchored his every step, and his unwavering devotion to his family was his guiding light. To know George was to know laughter; he was the consummate comedian and a proud professor of the "Dad joke," leaving a trail of smiles and groans with everyone he met.
George's legacy of love continues through his beloved wife, Becky; his three children, Michael, Mark and wife Jessica, and Heidi Mosley; his brother, Karl and wife Renee Cole; his seven grandchildren, Chad and wife Isabel, Hayden, Lindsey and husband Jaiker Esslinger-Crespo, Hannelore, Christian, Lukas and Sara Mosley; and his cherished great-grandson, Keaton George Esslinger-Crespo. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hannelore and Donald Esslinger, as well as his biological father, Georg Pohl.

A memorial service to celebrate George’s remarkable life will be held at 11:30 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at the Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene (500 W. Calle Concordia, Oro Valley, AZ 85704). Pastor Craig Coulter will officiate the service, which will be immediately followed by a luncheon for family and friends.

In closing, the family leaves you with George’s favorite, signature farewell—a sentiment that perfectly captures his warm and welcoming spirit: “I’m glad you got to see me.”.
Rest in peace, George. You are deeply loved and missed.