Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
George DeHart Obituary
November 12, 1930 - August 14, 2015
George Albert DeHart was born on a farm near Creston, Iowa, to Bruce and Georgia DeHart. His youth was spent in Missouri and Iowa, and he started working at a very early age. He graduated from Simpson College, where he was president of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and later earned a Masters of School Administration from the University of Iowa.
At Valley High in West De Moines, he met the love of his life and future wife Delores La Plant at the age of 16 and they married five years later. They were married 63 years.
After spending 2 years in the Army, George started his professional life in Iowa as a teacher, and spent 11 years inspiring and enriching the lives of the kids at Grinnell High School. He taught English, Drama, and Speech and raised his kids to care about grammar. He was the Theater Director, and loved directing plays and Broadway musicals. George and Dee moved their family to Bettendorf, Iowa, in 1965 where he worked as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
Tired of shoveling snow and recruited by a friend to a new career, George and his family relocated to Sunnyvale, CA, and remained there for 19 years. During stints with Westinghouse Learning Corporation and Houghton Mifflin, he travelled all over the country and many parts of the world.
George and Delores started their small business ownership career with San Tomas Liquors in Santa Clara, which they owned and operated for eight years. In 1989, George and Dee moved to Salem, Oregon, and bought a gasoline station. George and his son Brent eventually had four other businesses in town including the ownership of Salem Aviation Fueling.
His retirement life was full of service to the Lions Club International as a member of South Salem Lions. Both George and Delores served as Presidents of the local club, and George was District Governor in 1999-2000. They travelled to many local, regional, and international conventions in the last 20 years. George expanded his dedicated volunteer service to the Lions Club, serving as Chairman of both the Lions Eye Bank of Oregon (now Lions Vision Gift), and the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
George and Delores enjoyed travelling together, taking more than one international trip every year for over 15 years. His lifetime travels brought him to places as diverse as Antarctica, Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia, totaling over 40 countries. His last trip was at age 83 to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Starting life in rural Iowa he never dreamed he would have such life experiences as riding camels and elephants and seeing the wonders of the world and all 7 continents. He said he exceeded any expectations for his life. He lived a dignified and blessed life with a lot of class.
George was preceded by his parents, and is survived by his loving wife Delores, children Bill DeHart and his partner David Kamimoto, Becky DeHart, Annette Yonemoto and her husband David, and Brent DeHart and his wife Linda. George also leaves behind his brother Don, and grandsons Michael and Matthew Yonemoto, and Nolan and Alec DeHart. He was a loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends on August 29th at Creekside Golf Club in Salem, 2-5pm. Donations in honor of George may be made in lieu of flowers to Lions Vision Gift. Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George DeHart
Robin DeHart
September 10, 2015
I was sorry to hear of Uncle George's passing. I enjoyed listening to his stories at the family reunions when we were able to attend. He truly was a wonderful man. Prayers to Aunt Dee and the rest of the family.
Walter Denny
September 8, 2015
George directed the GHS class of 1960 Senior Class Play, Charlie's Aunt ("from Brazil, where the nuts come from"). Good old bone-dry Grinnell decreed that when Brasset, the butler (our friend Roger), appeared with a tray of drinks and an obvious sherry bottle, the line "some sherry, gentlemen?" was changed to "some tea, gentlemen?" I have long missed George, his marvelously resonant baritone voice, and his wonderful combination of no-nonsense discipline and enthusiasm for his work as a teacher and drama director. How lucky we were and are to have had him in our lives!
John Denny
September 8, 2015
Far and away the most influential teacher I ever had. He challenged his students to think and defend their ideas. The hours spent in the GHS theater (John Brown's Body, Finian's Rainbow, The Man Who Came to Dinner and many more) were the best times of my first 18 years.
Jeanne Iburg
September 8, 2015
Mr. DeHart was one of the best teachers I ever encountered. Every student who was fortunate to experience his expertise in play direction, teaching or speech was forever changed. I have thought of him so many times over these years and always with a smile. My prayers for his family.
Cynthia Kenyon
September 7, 2015
Mr. DeHart was a topnotch teacher. I learned so much in his speech class. He and Joe McCoy teamed up to produce a musical every year. Being in that musical was one of my high school highlights. I remember him fondly.
Paul McNally
August 29, 2015
Mr. Dehart was one of my favorite teachers at GHS, both in the classroom and on stage for the many productions that he directed that I was so very fortunate to be apart of. He was an intelligent, incisive, inspiring teacher/director who also had a wonderful sense of humor. I was very sorry to learn of his death and I offer my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family. He was a special man. - Paul McNally
Jo Dee (Goughnour) Roof
August 25, 2015
I was lucky enough to have Mr. DeHart as my speech and drama teacher at Grinnell High School. We had so much fun putting on the annual musicals. He was a great guy and cared about his students. My sympathies and prayers go out to his family.
August 23, 2015
George was a wonderful man, father and grandfather. The world won't be the same without him. May he rest in peace. ---Amy Shouse
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Make a Donation
in George DeHart's name
Memorial Events
for George DeHart
How to support George's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor George DeHart's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
