George K. Connors

GEORGE K. CONNORS 1935 - 2013 George K. Connors, born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 2, 1935, passed away in Ontario, California on July 6, 2013, at the age 0f 78. George led a life of service to others. At the age of 18 he joined the United States Marine Corps, and served in Korea. He received the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. While making his home in Corona, California, he became a leader with the Boy Scouts of America and attained the Order of the Arrow and Silver Beaver awards, the highest honors in adult scouting. When he and his wife moved to Beaumont in 1980 he soon became Explorer Coordinator of the Beaumont Police Explorers, young people interested in law enforcement. This inspired his training to become a Reserve Police Officer with the police department. While in the reserves he was awarded, along with two other officers, the Medal of Valor, and in addition a proclamation from the City of Beaumont, and a commendation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, for a life-saving rescue from a burning car. It became his dream to become a police officer. This required extensive and rigorous academy training. Although 55 years old at the time, he quit his job as an office machine repair specialist, signed on as a full-time Beaumont Reserve Officer, and went to the Fullerton College Police Academy part-time for ten months, often studying all night. He became an officer for the City of Perris Police Department, then a detective. When Perris contracted with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, he became a deputy retiring in December 1999. He joined Semper Fi #1 Memorial Honor Detail, a volunteer group of retired and former Marines, who provide full honors for those who have served our country, at Riverside National Cemetery. When for health reasons he could no longer serve that organization, and still passionate about his country and serving others, he joined Desert Edge Post 233 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Beaumont. He was hospitalized the last seven months of his life. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Ann; sons, Brian and George; daughter Kathleen; 5 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and 4 stepchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, John. Viewing will be from 1-5pm, Sunday, July 14, at Weaver Mortuary, 1177 Beaumont Ave., Beaumont. Services will be graveside Monday, July 15 at 9:45am, at Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area 4, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside. Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA 951-845-1141 To leave condolences or sign the online Guest book, please visit www.weaver- mortuary.com