George Illes

1912 - 2015

George Maximilian Illes
1912-2015
George Maximilian Illes beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, respected businessman and art conservator, passed away on June 8, 2015 at the age of 102 in Houston, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Eleanor Emma Perry Illes. George is survived by his two children Eleanor Illes Carosella of Houston, Texas and George M. Illes Jr. (Rick) and his wife Sandra of Dallas, Texas; his grandchildren Alexandra Perry Jardine and her husband Christopher of Houston, Texas, Grant Illes of Los Angeles, California, Cristin Illes Kahale and her husband Danny and great- granddaughter Coraline May all of Newport Beach, California.
George was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Arpad Enoch and Sylvia Martin Illes and moved to Dallas when he was 12 where he spent most of his life. In 1933 he graduated from Rice Institute, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and returned to Dallas to join the Illes Company, a family business, maker of flavorings and seasonings.
Throughout his long life he was a man of many interests and talents. He was a member of The Dallas Country Club, Calyx Club, Dallas Museum of Art, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, and New Mexico Museum. After many years of living and working in Dallas, in 1993 George retired from the Illes Company and he and Eleanor moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they lived until 2003. An avid photographer, he greatly appreciated the beauty of the New Mexico landscapes and sunsets.
George was not only a successful businessman but also an accomplished art restorer and member of the American Conservation Society. A world traveler, he was particularly fond of England and had been President of the Dallas Chapter of the English Speaking Union.
The year 2012 was very special for George as he and his alma mater, Rice both celebrated their 100th birthdays and he was featured in the Rice Sallyport Magazine as one of Rice institutes early graduates.
George was known as a kind and caring man who was greatly loved and admired by all who knew him. His children and grandchildren inherited so much love of life from him and were blest to have so many years with him. He will be dearly missed and his passing will leave a great void in the lives of all whom he has touched with his presence.
A Memorial Service will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Mausoleum Chapel East at 11:30 am on Saturday June 13, 2015, 7405 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, Texas. The family wishes to thank Catherine White for her years of service and caring in dad's last year's. We request that any gifts be made in honor of George to Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, P.O. Box 1892 Houston, Texas 77251-1892. Online condolences may be made at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com.