George A. Akers

George A. Akers Dec. 4, 1922 - Jan. 10, 2006

George A. Akers, co-founder of Alco Paramount Electronic Corporation, electronic pioneer and World War II veteran, died Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at the age of 83. George and his wife Betty have been residents of Paradise, CA for the last four and one-half years.

He was born Dec. 4, 1922 on a farm near Worley, Idaho, attended Worley schools, graduating from high school in 1940. He came to California in the summer of 1941 to attend radio school in Los Angeles. After WWII broke out in December, 1941, and unable to join the Marine Corps, he went to work for Western Union Telegraph Co. as a teletype repairman in San Diego, CA. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Oct. 1942 as a radio technician, and attended Navy radio schools in Bremerton, WA, Chicago, IL, Oklahoma A&M at Stillwater, OK and Navy Secondary Radar School at Corpus Christi,, TX. He was stationed at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. doing research on Counter Measure Systems. He was honorably discharged on Jan. 19,1946 as a Chief Aviation Radio Technician.

In September, 1945, while still in the Navy and stationed at Moffett Field, CA he and another Navy veteran opened up a radio repair store in downtown San Jose, CA known as Alco Paramount Electronics. By 1973 it had grown to become the largest independent radio and TV sales and service company in all California, with eight stores in Santa Clara County.

In 1983 he sold the business, retired and entered the development of recreational properties.

He was very active in community affairs, president of a Little League, served 6 years as President of the Downtown San Jose Merchants Parking Authority, served 2 terms on the Board of Directors of San Jose Chamber of Commerce, served 2 terms on the Board of Directors of Santa Clara County Better Business Bureau, served on the Board of Directors of Northern California Communications Contractors, was a charter member of the Metro "A" trust Fund, and past member of Downtown San Jose Rotary Club.

In November, 1946, he married Betty York, a Campbell High School graduate, whose father was a Campbell High School teacher. They were married 59 years; she survives at home. They have three children: Karen A. Martin, of Napa, CA, Gary S. Akers, of Fruita, CO and David A. Akers, of La Quinta, CA. Four grandchildren, one great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Gene Akers, of Worley, ID who was the President and CEO of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Rockford, WA.

Friends and family attended a memorial service in Paradise, CA on Jan. 14, 2006. He was laid to rest in Los Gatos Memorial Park. Memorial contributions can be made to Trout Unlimited, or a charity of the donor's choice.