WINNEMUCCA, Nev. -A longtime Lowry High School teacher has been chosen to lead this year's Labor Day Parade.
Thomas H. George will be the 2012 Grand Marshall, leading the annual procession that kicks off each year's Tri-County Fair and Stampede.
The parade, which will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 1, is sponsored by the Agricultural District No. 3, or rodeo board.
Tom George also served on that board, eventually being named vice president. That's just part of his legacy of service to this and other communities-a legacy that Ag 3 President Kent Maher made him the perfect candidate for this year's honor.
"This is a very special nomination," he said of the Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall title. "Whoever is chosen represents the best that Humboldt County has to offer in terms of selfless service, volunteerism, sacrifice and prioritizing for the good of the community."
Maher continued, "When Tom's name came up, it was a perfect fit. He truly exemplifies all of those qualities. We were all in agreement that we wanted to honor him for his life dedicated to community service."
Tom George was born in Rifle, Colorado. His family moved to Meeker, Colorado when he was in the seventh grade. He graduated from Meeker High School in 1960.
He soon enrolled at Colorado State University at Fort Collins where he graduated four years later with a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Education; he minored in Biological Science.
He would eventually receive his master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, in Secondary Education, as well as attend numerous in-service and graduate-level workshops that focused on education, individual study areas within agriculture, new programs and practices, computer programs and more.
Upon graduating from Colorado State University, George taught at Fairplay, Colorado, for five years. In 1969, he moved to Bancroft, Idaho, where he stayed for two years. Finally, in 1971, he moved his family to Winnemucca, Nevada, where he taught at Lowry High School for 31 years.
In all, George taught our nation's youth for 38 years.
At Lowry, George taught vocational agriculture, wood shop and welding. He was also the advisor to the Future Farmers of America. Additionally, he coached football for two years and also refereed wrestling.
In addition to his school career and activities, George was also very active in the community, serving as a commissioner for the Rural Fire Department and on the Agriculture District No. 3.
He joined the Masonic Lodge in 1984 and served as Master of the Lodge in 2000. He also joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1985 and has served as Worthy Patron five times; in 2008 he also served as Worthy Grand Patron.
Additionally, he served the International Order of Rainbow for girls as Rainbow Dad and also as a member of the advisory board for that organization.
George's good works have not gone unnoticed. He was honored by his students in Fairplay, Colorado, who dedicated their annual yearbook to him. In Nevada, he also enjoyed many honors, including being named Humboldt County Teacher of the Year in 1977 and 1996; he was also named the Nevada Vocational Teacher of the year in 1977.
George also has been named an Honorary Nevada State Farmer, Honorary American Farmer and Nevada Agri-Science Teacher.
George and his wife, Ilene, met in high school; they were married in June 1961. They have spent 51 years happily married and are looking forward to many more years together. From that marriage they have five wonderful children including Wade, Janice, Rebecca, Jon and Chet. They are grandparents to 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Tom George said his favorite part of both his career and volunteer lives has been working with the young people. He still has contact with several of his students from his teaching days in all three states.
"He has never met a stranger," says his wife, Ilene. "He just makes new friends."
She added, "His family and I are extremely proud of him."
The 2012 Labor Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 1, at the Model T Resort Casino. The procession will travel down Winnemucca Boulevard before coming to rest in the parking lot at the Winnemucca Events Complex.
For more information on the 2012 Tri-County Fair & Stampede or its related events, please call the Tri-County Fair & Stampede at (775) 623-5071, ext. 102, or toll free at (800) 962-2638, ext. 102. Or log onto www.LaborDayFair.com for a full schedule of events.
A complete schedule of events is included in the 2012 Fair Guide Book. Copies are available at the Winnemucca Convention Center; the Humboldt County Extension Office; the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce; the Humboldt County Library; the Winnemucca Events Complex office; Denio Junction; the Paradise, Orovada and McDermitt post offices; the Battle Mountain Chamber of Commerce; the Lovelock Chamber of Commerce; or online at www.LaborDayFair.com.
[[In-content Ad]]
