GEORGE LEONARD CAVENDER

GEORGE LEONARD CAVENDER George Leonard Cavender passed Wednesday morning, February 26 at the age of 98. George was born September 29, 1926 in Dorchester, Texas as the youngest child of 11 to Lawrence and Minnie Cavender. He attended school in Dorchester until he transferred to Van Alstyne High School in 1941. There he met Frankie Cole during study hall. She wanted help with math from this handsome young man across the room. George graduated in 1943 and left that October to serve in the Merchant Marines, stationed in New Orleans. While there, he bought wedding rings and sent them to Frankie. When the war ended, he returned home where he and she married in the Methodist parsonage in Van Alstyne on October 27, 1945. They became active members of the Howe Methodist Church soon after their marriage, where they served in various capacities over the years. Their years in the church brought the benefit of many meaningful times with faithful friends who have cared for and enriched George's life until his passing. George's lifelong desire was to be a farmer, and that dream became a reality as he and Frankie moved into his boyhood home on the Brooks Farm near Dorchester to work the land he was raised on. They moved miles out in the country with no electricity, no running water, no car, no phone and no radio just each other. This proved to be a tremendous challenge for Frankie as she had grown up experiencing city life in Dallas and was a very social, fun-loving person. But this was only the beginning of challenges they would face. They had four children; Karon, Lynn, Chris and Kay. In 1968, while Karon was in college, she was in a terrible car accident that caused her to need individualized care the remainder of her life. George and Frankie cared for her faithfully until her passing in 2003. In 1954, George bought land near Farmington where he grew crops, raised hogs and cattle and built his home. In 1978, he was able to purchase the Brooks place he had lived on and farmed for many years. By the time he retired George had raised crops for 62 years. He earned several achievements over the years including Outstanding Farmer of the Year for Grayson County in 1986, Texas Master Pork Producer 1988 and Region 5 Outstanding Conservation Farmer in 1990. Through these experiences and achievements, Frankie was by his side. But on October 27, 2020, Frankie passed peacefully in their home on George's and her 75th wedding anniversary as he held her hand. George was a very humble, caring and generous man who helped many people through the years. He was a well-respected, well-loved member of his community and lived his life in a way to be admired. The GCEC Cavender substation and the Farmington water tower will stand as reminders of George's consideration of his community, as he has ensured water and electricity will be available to all who will move into his area. George was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Frankie, daughter Karon and grandson Brooks. George leaves behind his three children and their spouses Lynn Cavender (Brenda), Kay Mills (Tony) and Chris Cavender (Laura) George had 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM Friday February 28 at Howe Methodist Church. The funeral will begin at 2:00 PM with Rev. JB Bryant and Rev. Richmond Goolsby officiating. Burial will follow at Hall Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons Shane Cavender, Matt Cavender, Shawn Cavender, Clark Cavender, Tate Mills, Joseph Mills, and Nicholas Cavender. Eric Akins will be an honorary pallbearer. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.