Frederick George

1930 - 2025

On April 1, 2025, Frederick Walter George, loving son, brother, husband (widower) and father, left his daughters for an endless round of golf with Mom, on Cloud #1 in Heaven. This was something he had wanted to do since the day his wife, Claire, passed away.
Fred, was the youngest of four children, born to Thomas and Lillian George, in Woodland, Ca., on August 16, 1930. At the young age of six years old, his mother finally allowed Fred to attend the one room school house, that served students in grades 1-8. But Fred soon developed his own idea. He had a friend who attended the school in town, Beamer Elementary School. That school had sports and Fred wanted to play. So, without telling anyone he took off on his bicycle and rang the doorbells of three of the Woodland school board members. Our father was successful in garnering their permission to attend Beamer School. This turned out to be a life impacting decision.
Fred, graduated from Woodland High School in 1949. He was the first recipient of the Jay Sehorn Award – recognizing the most valuable player. Fred grew into one of the best two sport athletes to play at Woodland High and beyond. His athletic achievement earned him induction into the Woodland Athletic Hall of Fame, in 1998.
Two years of military service, in the Korean Conflict, in the middle of his college career, afforded Fred more maturity. As he and the Chico Wildcats lost only once in each of the 1954 and '55 football seasons, winning the title in the latter. In 1995, Fred was inducted into the Chico State Athletic Hall of Fame, for outstanding performance in football and baseball.
During his two-year tenure in the US Army, Fred saw action in Korea. He served as a Sergeant First Class with the 40th Division – Combat Unit. Sergeant George, earned the Bronze Star, for performing acts of valor when operating in combat zones.
Fred was the first person in his family to attend college. After graduating from Chico State, Fred went on to earn his Master's Degree in Physical Education from the University of Oregon, at Eugene. He then accepted a physical education teaching position at Burroughs High School in China Lake, Ca. There he met and married, his wife of 63 years, Claire Pope.
In 1959 Claire and Fred, moved to Fremont, Ca. They taught at Centerville High School from 1959-1961. Their first daughter, Janis, was born in 1961. Fred was offered a baseball coaching position at Lodi High School, so to Lodi they moved. Younger daughter, Jill, arrived in 1963. Fred coached varsity baseball at Lodi High School for 18 seasons. He also coached Legion Baseball for three seasons, one of which earned him a state tournament berth. Also at Lodi High, Coach George, was an assistant football coach for seven years, and athletic director for three years. The days we enjoyed the most, was when Fred (suggested and encouraged by Claire) coached the Lodi High Girls' Basketball Team for five years. What a difference he made!
For several years Claire and Fred were active members of the Pacific Seniors Golf Association. Happily, they traveled throughout many western states playing golf and meeting new people.
When inducted into the Woodland Athletic Hall of Fame Coach George shared, "I dearly loved to play. I didn't play well, but I loved to play! I hope that sometime during my coaching career, I helped some young fella or young lady, get a step further than they would have without me."
As per Fred's request there will not be a service: "At the young age of 94, few of my friends are still here!"
Thank you to Juli's Village Coffee Shop in Lodi, for your care and kindness. Seldom did Dad miss a breakfast!