George Mayson Glende passed away peacefully on January 28, 2014, three days after his 91st birthday, in Chico, California. George typified the "Greatest Generation." During his first year at the University of Utah, America was at war. He enlisted, was trained as an aircraft electronic technician, graduated from OfficerCandidateSchool, and became a bombardier in the Army Air Corps. He returned from WWII expecting no entitlements but ready to build a future for himself and his family through honest, hard work. An entrepreneur, always optimistic, he founded various businesses, starting with ventures into electrical contracting and commercial art. He had a Crosley auto dealership in 1949, ran various used car operations in SaltLake, and finally moved to California in 1971. There he owned and operated new car dealerships, and finally moved into recreational vehicles founding the successful Glende Polaris Yamaha, of Chico. Retired Lt.Col., US Army Reserve.
As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he loved teaching the Gospel. He said the Gospel's "the only thing that really gives anybody direction in this life."
The last survivor of three brothers (older brother Alfred and younger brother Donald), he was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 25, 1923, to Albert and Florence Emily Mayson Glende. He married Donna Rasmussen in Salt Lake City on February 10, 1943. Their love fueled by romance and mutual respect never faltered. She will miss "her man" deeply. George is also survived by three sons: Steve (Stephanie) of Salt Lake City, Winn (Gail) of Bakersfield, California, and Gray (Tina) of Chico, California. His posterity also includes 12 grandchildren and soon-to-be 18 great grandchildren. All are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
George loved his family, and they all knew it. He also loved boats, owned several over the years, and appeared most happy when piloting his cabin cruiser on LakeOroville with his sweetheart at his side.
Funeral services were held Thursday, February 6, 2014, in the Chico LDS 2nd Ward. Interment will be Monday, February 10, 2014, at LarkinSunsetGardens in Sandy, Utah preceded by a visitation from 1 - 2 p.m. in the mortuary. Steve and Stephanie and Winn and Gail especially thank Gray and Tina for helping Dad through these last few difficult years of retirement, when aging stopped him from driving his little sports car to work every day.
