1925
George
2013
George L. Mager
February 16, 1925 — April 1, 2013
George Leroy “Buddy” Mager, 88, died Monday, April 1, 2013.
Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2013 in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with the Rev. Scott Raef as celebrant. Burial will follow in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
George was born in Amarillo, TX on February 16, 1925 to George E. and Hazel Mager.
George is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Georgiana Klock; and three brothers, Neal A., Richard, and Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Mager.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary; sons, Jeff and wife Eileen of Edmond, OK, Dr. Andy Mager of Amarillo; daughters, Teresa Gannaway and husband Dr. Mark Gannaway of Garland, TX, and Amy and husband Thomas Neeb of Carrollton, TX; eight grandchildren; Adrienne Mager Harper, Cameron Mager, Valerie Gannaway Fentress and husband Justin, Emily Gannaway Shackelford and husband Chris, Chris Neeb, Sarah Neeb, Morgan Mager, Bryce Mager; and four great grandchildren; Grant and Mason Fentress and Hayden and Ethan Shackelford.
George dreamed of becoming a pilot. During WWII conflict, George left high school and joined the USAF. He served for two years and was discharged honorably at the end of WWII. He then attended Purdue University and achieved his bachelors of Science degree in Air Transportation in 1950. He re-joined the USAF and became a pilot earning his wings. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict and Vietnam War. He was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal with 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Clusters. George was honorably discharged as a career officer in the US Air Force.
After retiring from the USAF, he was employed at Bell Helicopter until its closing operation in Amarillo. George was an avid photographer and worked part time at Hertner’s Camera and Photography for several years.
George was a devout Catholic. He loved his God, his church, his family with all his being. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, a Serran, and a longtime participant in Eucharistic Adoration.
Suggested memorials to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79119; Evelyn Rivers Christmas Project, 314 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101; or your favorite charity.
Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2013 in St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2013 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church with the Rev. Scott Raef as celebrant. Burial will follow in Llano Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
George was born in Amarillo, TX on February 16, 1925 to George E. and Hazel Mager.
George is preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Georgiana Klock; and three brothers, Neal A., Richard, and Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Mager.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary; sons, Jeff and wife Eileen of Edmond, OK, Dr. Andy Mager of Amarillo; daughters, Teresa Gannaway and husband Dr. Mark Gannaway of Garland, TX, and Amy and husband Thomas Neeb of Carrollton, TX; eight grandchildren; Adrienne Mager Harper, Cameron Mager, Valerie Gannaway Fentress and husband Justin, Emily Gannaway Shackelford and husband Chris, Chris Neeb, Sarah Neeb, Morgan Mager, Bryce Mager; and four great grandchildren; Grant and Mason Fentress and Hayden and Ethan Shackelford.
George dreamed of becoming a pilot. During WWII conflict, George left high school and joined the USAF. He served for two years and was discharged honorably at the end of WWII. He then attended Purdue University and achieved his bachelors of Science degree in Air Transportation in 1950. He re-joined the USAF and became a pilot earning his wings. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict and Vietnam War. He was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal with 1st to 6th Oak Leaf Clusters. George was honorably discharged as a career officer in the US Air Force.
After retiring from the USAF, he was employed at Bell Helicopter until its closing operation in Amarillo. George was an avid photographer and worked part time at Hertner’s Camera and Photography for several years.
George was a devout Catholic. He loved his God, his church, his family with all his being. He was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, a Serran, and a longtime participant in Eucharistic Adoration.
Suggested memorials to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter, Amarillo, TX 79119; Evelyn Rivers Christmas Project, 314 S. Jefferson, Amarillo, TX 79101; or your favorite charity.
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