George Best

George Stanley Best of Philomath went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sept. 10, after a courageous battle with cancer. Four generations of the Best family will be remembering and celebrating his life. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Marie Wooster Best, and their four children, George Steven Best and his wife, Kathryn, of Beaverton; Judy Marie Best Boykin and her husband, Luke, of Niceville, Fla.; John William Best and his wife, Catherine, of Philomath; and Cynthia Ann Best Pfaltzgraff and her husband, James, of Portland. Nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren complete the family. Mr. Best also leaves one sister, Dorothy Elaine Best Kruger of The Dalles, as well as many nieces and nephews. He entered life March 24, 1923, in Burtrum, Minn., to parents George Shaw Best and Elvina Eunetta Johnson Best. He was the fifth out of six children born to the family. Going before him were brothers John Shaw Best, who died as an infant, and Robert Otis Best, and sisters Ella Eunetta Best Hawkins and Gwendolyn Mae Best Replogle. George was proud of his ancestry and the lessons passed down to him. His Best lineage traces back to Ireland and includes many who fought for the freedoms of our country in both the Revolutionary War and Civil War. It also includes pioneering people always moving west to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Dakota Territory, Minnesota, Washington and finally Oregon. His mother’s family came from Sweden and he was quick to remind you that he was a “Swede,” complete with blue eyes. George began school in Burtrum, Minn., and continued his primary-school education at Westwood Community School, conveniently located next to the family’s property. He had the pleasure of having his eldest sister, Ella, as his teacher for several years. He went on to graduate from Philomath High School in 1940. He began working as a timber faller after graduation, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather working in the timber industry. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a tail gunner on the B-24 Liberator bomber “Chippiedall.” He saw action over Europe and one of his vivid memories was his mission over the Ploesti, Romania, oil refineries. He was proud of his air medal and being credited with shooting down a German FW-190 fighter. George married Lois Wooster on Jan. 19, 1947, in the College E.U.B. Church. Their first home was at Chitwood near Eddyville on the Newport Highway. They later moved to Philomath to a house built by his father-in-law, John Wooster, and raised their family of four children in that home. In 1977, they moved to their home on the Alsea Highway — a house George built with help from other family members. He was very proud of that house. George worked in the woods, as they say, and had a love for the land. He had his own sawmill, “Best Hardwoods,” located on the property he came to as a boy. It later became the site of his “shop,” a favorite place. He worked with his brother Bob building logging roads and bridges. He retired from working for others, but never truly retired. He always had projects to do and things to get done. George was a man of many skills, hobbies and interests, all of which he enjoyed and would share with everyone. He had a generous heart and was always eager to help others. If you needed something done, he would most likely be able to help you do it. He could repair just about everything, and would at least try. Nothing was more important than helping others. He was always interested in the many hobbies and passions of his children and grandchildren. He became an expert at shooting skeet and trap. His knowledge of guns was respected by many and he delighted in teaching his grandchildren to shoot. He even witnessed a great-grandchild shoot a BB gun for the first time. Family gatherings always seemed to include some shooting in the backyard. Horseshoe pitching, croquet, tennis, bowling, badminton, archery, black-powder guns, hunting, fishing — he did them all. He was a competitor and gave 100 percent to whatever he did. He enjoyed gold panning and antique tractors with his son. He also enjoyed golfing at the Marysville Course. His last round of golf was with his daughter and grandson. Riding in his golf cart was a treat for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Not every Grandpa has a Harley-Davidson golf cart. He loved to build things and work with wood and was always ready and willing to share his talents with others. He seemed to know how to build anything; just give him some time in his favorite place — his shop. The Westwood Community Church was a recipient of his generous nature, and he spent many hours working on the building and grounds of the church. For him it was a labor of love. A love passed down to him in childhood by his parents was the love of music. He tried his hand at many instruments, including guitar, banjo, clarinet, saxophone, harmonica, piano and finally his organ. He was delighted to see his children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren experience music and share it with him. It always bought a smile to his face. The skills and lessons George passed on to the generations which follow him will be treasured by all. He made memories for all his family and friends to hold close to their hearts. He had a love for God and his faith was important to him. He studied his Bible and taught Sunday School at Westwood Community Church. He made it known to all what the real purpose in life was. He was ready to be with his Lord and has now passed on to his final reward. He has been born into Eternity. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at College United Methodist Church, Philomath. The funeral service will begin at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Corvallis. Memorial donations may be made to Westwood Community Church (for mission projects), P.O. Box 614, Philomath, OR 97370.

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George Best

March 24, 1923 - September 10, 2008