George W. Meeker

March 5, 1922 – July 28, 2018

George Wilber Meeker, 96, of Homer Alaska died early Saturday morning on July 28, 2018. He passed peacefully in his sleep at the Homer Senior Center.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, August 3, 2018 at The Homer City Elks Lodge, 215 Jenny Way – Homer. Public Viewing will be held 1 hours prior to services at 1 p.m. The V.F.W. and American Legion will be performing a Military service and honors. George will be laid to rest following services at the Hickerson Cemetery in Homer.

Born March 5, 1922 in Larned, Kansas, the son of George Lindley Meeker and Bertha Mary Hewson Meeker. At the age of 9, he and his family moved to Garden City Kansas. He grew up on a farm during the 20’s and 30’s, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University and in 1943, at the age of 21, enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving during the great war, WW11 as a radar officer on the USS Gilbert Islands. During his brave tenure he earned many service awards.

After military service, he returned to Garden City Kansas where he farmed and raised his family. He was wheat farmer, a multi-talented businessman and served 6 years as a Kansas State Legislator (’63-’68). He helped organize the Kansas Wheat Growers Association and served as President of the state and national Association of Wheat Growers. One of his proud achievements was helping found the first chapter of the American Legion in Garden City Kansas. In April 2017 George and his wife Helen were named Pioneers of Finney County Kansas.

At the age of 56, he made his first trip to the great state of Alaska, purchased a home where he and his wife Helen stayed during the summers, until July of 1995 when they decided to make Alaska their permanent home.

His hobbies included playing bridge, tagging fish for the Homer Chamber of Commerce, First Friday’s, flower gardening, making jewelry and painting beautiful Alaska landscapes, some of which can be seen in various businesses around Homer.

Mr. Meeker will always be remembered for his kind, loving heart, his firm handshake and friendship to many. An honorable man, his handshake was his word. He helped many people during his life expecting nothing in return. Mr. Meeker was humble and never described himself as brave or courageous but he was.

George is survived by his wife of 74 years, Helen Sorensen Meeker of Homer Alaska, 2 sons Douglas (Melanie) of Homer Alaska and Larry (Cindy) of Lake Quivira Kansas, 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leo and Carl Alton (Tony), and grandson Damon Meeker.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of George Meeker, to either the Finney County Historical Society, 403 S 4th St, Garden City, KS 67846 or to Hospice of Homer, P.O. Box 4174, Homer, AK 99603.

Arrangements made by Homer Funeral Home & Crematory. Please sign or visit his online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.