George Arnold Elbe

George Arnold Elbe of Largo, Fl passed away on February 18, 2026. George was born in Lithuania in 1940 and immigrated to NYC when he was 12. George served in the Air Force for 4 years after high school and then attended college at Long Island University. After college George began a career in the airline industry with Lufthansa at Kennedy airport. George then opened American Airlines operations in St. Thomas, USVI. While on St. Thomas George met and wed his beautiful wife of 54 years Charlote Hartman Elbe. The family then moved to Largo, Florida in 1979 where George opened operations for American Airlines at Tampa International Airport. In 1988 George was tasked with opening the European Operations for American Airlines. George retired from American Airlines in 1993 and then became Director of International Commerce at Tampa International Airport until retiring from there in 2007.

After retirement George worked as a starter at Belleair Country Club. George was involved in Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), the Chamber of commerce (president in St. Thomas) and Skal International (past president) and was master of ceremonies at numerous events. George was one of a kind. He touched so many lives with his sense of humor. George and Charlie were fortunate to travel the globe. George spent his retirement cheering on the Bucs and playing golf with friends and his sons. If you were fortunate to get to know George you never forgot him.

George is survived by his wife Charlote Elbe, sons Maxwell and Benjamin Elbe, daughters in law Mary Beth and Stacey Elbe and 3 grandsons Charlie (13), Gus (11) and Alexander (11). George was preceded in death by his father Emil Albert Elbe, his mother Marriana Kurowski and his brother Joseph Elbe.