George Laws Obituary

George Edward Laws

PHOENIX, AZ – A Springfield native, George died peacefully May 19, 2011, in the same manner he lived most of his nearly 85 years – with grace, humor and love. Fighting cancer in a hospital bed, George said, "I know they've put me in a place where I can go any time." He then drew laughter by lowering his head to mock death. Why not joke? George faced death before. He was among 317 USS Indianapolis crewmen who survived two torpedoes from a Japanese submarine. He spent five days in the Pacific Ocean, fending off sharks and dehydration. When rescuers arrived, someone asked George if he could stand. "Sure," he said, but then collapsed. Always independent, George lived alone into his 80s. But he missed his wife, Eve, who died Sept. 26, 2005. Much of their 51-year marriage was tumultuous – George once drove 200 miles on a moped after an argument – but he stayed constantly by Eve's side when she became ill. They married Nov. 6, 1954, and lived in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale during his 30 years at General Motors. George also worked 15 years as a volunteer fireman. He retired in 1983, moved to Manchester and delivered cheese as an excuse to travel. George and Eve had two daughters, Carolyn Rodden and Peggy Fitzgerald; and three grandchildren, James Briggs, Kathryn Fitzgerald and Kevin Fitzgerald. He is survived by them, as well as his sister, Velma Croft, brother, John Laws; son-in-law, Gene Fitzgerald; and granddaughter-in-law, Amanda Briggs. He's preceded in death by his parents, George Laws and Nancy Laws; and siblings, Josephine Horrighs, Della Mae Allen, Elizabeth Saner, Betty Cordell and Thomas Laws. George will be honored at 11 a.m. June 6 at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Please donate to the Indiana War Memorial Commission's USS Indianapolis Memorial fund. (317.232.7615).

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Published by The State Journal-Register on May 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for George Laws

7 Entries

Jeannie Brown

June 27, 2011

Uncle Georgie and Aunt Eve would visit Grandma (Elizabeth Saner) often and I had the pleasure of being there when they came by.
Their visits would last well into the night and each visit was different as the next.
Some visits Grandma and Uncle Georgie would relive memories of their childhood and the pain they shared together as adults.
However, for Uncle Georgie it was a place he could talk about what happened to him when the USS Indianapolis sank. As a kid, it was like watching the history channel without the commercials!
I never knew he was a Hero until I grew up researched the sinking of the ship; it was then I realized that his battle for survival was really something and all these years he made it out to be nothing. His thoughts focused on the lives that were lost. He never forgot.
After Grandma passed, Uncle Georgie and Aunt Eve continued to stop by and visit. I will always cherish the times we spent together.
Some visits were filled with so much laughter that my face hurt from laughing so much!! While other visits were filled with tears of memories of losing family and friends.
Uncle Georgie I love you with all of my heart. You and Grandma will always be my hero's!!! I miss you a lot! I won't say good-bye... but see ya soon!

Peggy McCall Campo

May 31, 2011

On behalf of my father Don McCall, fellow USS Indianapolis survivor, I send our deepest sympathy to Carolyn, Peggy and your family. I remember George very well from the Indianapolis survivors reunion last summer. He was having a great time as a passenger on the motorcycle of one of the Patriot Guard riders who escorted the survivors to the memorial service. We were honored to know George--may he rest in peace.

Dad with his Survivor hat and USS Indianapolis T shirt on.

Peggy Fitzgerald

May 31, 2011

Melaney (Croft) Hughes

May 31, 2011

I was so sorry to hear of Uncle George's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with Carolyn and Peggy and families. Whenever he visited mom and dad, I always seemed to just miss his visit. I read his obituary and did some research about USS Indianapolis, you both must be very proud of him. I know I am.

May 31, 2011

I first met Mr.Laws "George" in 1963 when I was invited over to my best friends house (Peggy) for the first time. Peggy and I use to love to go down to the fire dept her father worked at and hang around. I knew he loved that because he never chased us away:)
I could see the man Peggy called her father through her eyes. Over the years I can see the pride she had for him back then, and the admiration she had to be his daughter now.

Peggy,
with all of my heart I mourn the loss of your father. A tie that is as deep as our friendship. I too am proud to say I knew "your dad". A strong will for life, a great provider, a loving husband, and a hero of a dad.
Carolyn,
You took care of your father until the very in. The devotion and the ability to go to heaven around his daughters who he loved so very much, was a blessings to your dad:)

Heaven has a new soldier....and a mighty fine one at that!
All my love,
Judi

Welsh Bob

May 31, 2011

The world has lost a warm and wonderful man, a true American Hero. Sleep well George and all the men of Indy's Crew.

Bob & Debbie Welsh

May 29, 2011

I'm sorry to hear Uncle George has passed away. I remember when i used to play bingo with him and aunt Eve. I also remember when they came over to see mom (Liz Saner). After Aunt Eve passing he moved up near Chicago we no longer seen him. He will be missed for awhile because he is with his other sisters and brother dad and mom in heaven, they are having a reunion up there now. Soon all of us we be up there joining in the reunion.

Marge Bowser (Saner)

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