George E Wong

George Wong, of Grand Junction, Colorado, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, under the care of HopeWest Hospice Care Center. 

George was born in Durango, Colorado, to Clara Gonzales and Sam Wong, on June 20, 1933. He grew up in Telluride, Colorado, and graduated high school at Telluride High School in 1951. He went on to Mesa Junior College from 1951 to 1953. From college, he went on to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1953 and served in the military until 1957. He trained at Kessler Air Force Base, Mississippi, as aircraft control and radar operations. He was stationed in the Pacific Northwest, and ended his career in Okinawa, Japan, in the Pacific Theater, which qualifies George to be laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. He ended his military career as an Air Force Staff Sargeant. 

Following the military, he met and married Patrica Ann Smith, and settled in Grand Junction, Colorado. They were married for 55 years, until Patricia preceded him in death in 2015. He began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration in Elko, Nevada, where George and Patricia lived with their growing family for two years. They moved back to Grand Junction and he continued his FAA career at Walker Field. In 1976, he was transferred to Honolulu, Hawaii, where they resided for the next two years. He ended his FAA career in 1985 in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he retired after 29 years. 

George loved traveling, and his adventures took him and his wife to Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong, and his favorite, the Hawaiian Islands. He loved spending time in the San Juan Mountains. He was very active in his church community as a member of the First United Methodist Church in downtown Grand Junction. He loved his hometown community, and loved getting together and visiting with people young and old. He loved music. He had a vast collection of jazz music, which he and Patricia loved to dance to. George was a true family man, and dearly loved his six children, nine grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter.

 He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; mother and father; sister, Patsy; daughter, Kimberly; and son, Kerry. He is survived by his brother, Tom, his sons Paul, David, and Kevin and his daughter, Kaye. He is also survived by his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great granddaughter. 

A memorial service will take place at the First United Methodist Church of Grand Junction at 522 White Avenue, at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 21, 2025