George L. LaPrade

George L. LaPrade, 83, passed away January 16, 2006 in Mesa, AZ. He was
born in Eldora, Iowa and served in World War II as a Radar Technician for Naval Aircraft Carrier Planes in the South Pacific. Immediately after receiving his degree in Physics he entered the U.S. Navy. While in
Guam awaiting his passage home he volunteered to teach a geometry course for his also marooned shipmates. It was to be his first experience in technical instruction which subsequently became a major activity in his life. After returning from oversees he returned to graduate schools at Miami University of Ohio and University of Michigan where he earned his Masters and taught undergraduate Physics courses largely for returning veterans taking advantage of the G.I Bill.  Subsequently he was on the faculty of General Motors Technical Institute in Flint, Michigan for several years. In 1953 he was employed in the Aerophysics Department of Goodyear Aerospace in Akron, OH transferring a year later to the Arizona division in Goodyear, AZ. Retiring in 1988 after 35 years including presenting many special courses on the Principles of Radar image geometry for various U.S Military and government agencies including the Air Force Dept of Agriculture, German Air Force and other U.S and British Intelligence Agencies. After their retirement he and his wife taught Adult and High School Sunday School Classes at Community United Methodist Church in Avondale, Arizona. They were also active in acquiring, refurbishing and serving a facility for the Avondale Food and Clothing Bank. George is preceded in death by his father, who served in WWI, but died when he was an infant; his mother Vernie and step-father Herbert H. Miller. He is survived by his wife Barbara; son Steven (Georgann) of Norman, OK; daughter Lesley (Rob) Drechsler of Tempe, AZ; grandchildren Dan (Freya) Dickson-LaPrade, Joy, John, Gloria and Paul Dreschler; and great grandchild Aram Dickson-LaPrade. A memorial service will be will be held at 1:00 p.m on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at Messinger Mortuary, 7601 E. Indian School Rd., Scottsdale, AZ. Inurnment will take place at 10:30 a.m Monday, January 23, 2006 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to the Agua Fria Food Bank, P.O Box 845, Avondale, AZ 85323.