George Dean Atteberry
April 20, 1929 - January 09, 2011
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George Dean Atteberry
April 20, 1929 - January 09, 2011
Obituary
George Dean Atteberry passed peacefully into his Father’s arms on January 9, 2011 at his home in Orange County, California.
Born on April 20, 1929 in Lincoln, Illinois to Albert Leslie and Ruth Watt Atteberry, George grew up on a large grain and livestock farm in the community of Armington, Illinois. He began his education in a one room country school and graduated from Hittle Township High School in 1947. George pursued his desire to learn and his love for the land, attending Illinois State Normal University and then earning a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture at the University of Illinois in 1951. He followed his college graduation with Veterinary Service in the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean Conflict.
George continued his education with post-graduate courses at the University of Illinois in the Agricultural Economics department. His professional career included positions with Production Credit, Office of Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation, Fruin Farm Management Service and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company. As an Agricultural Investment Officer, George made the first agribusiness loan for this insurance company. Upon his retirement George founded the Arrow Real Estate Company, California Agricultural Advisers and Managers, Inc., and he was active with the Chico Nut Company as well.
With travels that span all fifty states as well as many international countries, George continued to follow his passion for farming and agriculture throughout his life. He was a dedicated Christian and served as an elder, deacon, Sunday school superintendent and youth group sponsor in his church. He had a heart for helping others and was committed to volunteerism in his community including service with the California Butte County Sheriff’s Department, Enloe Medical Center, Elks and the American Legion. In 2006 George published an autobiography of his life titled ‘Born Before Sliced Bread’ so that his experiences on the farm could be shared with future generations.
He is survived by his four children – Dean Atteberry Julie of Owasso, OK; Joy Young Dr. Ron of Norcross, GA; Daniel Atteberry Pelusa of Sacramento, CA; Sheryl Brinson Scott of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA; six grandchildren Nicole Joshua Seabolt, Phillip Atteberry, Sean and Christine Young, Shane and Kiley Brinson; and brother Lee Atteberry of Minier, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tommy Gene Atteberry and his sister, Emmalena King. He will be buried at Mount Joy Cemetery, Eminence Township, Logan County, Illinois. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please join the family in honoring George’s passion for farming and learning with contributions to the George D. Atteberry Memorial Scholarship fund. Contributions may be sent to:
University of Illinois Foundation
George D. Atteberry Memorial Scholarship
1305 West Green Street
214 Harker Hall
Urbana, IL 61801
28 responses to George Dean Atteberry
Bruce Somers says:
January 11, 2011
My Prayers go out to my Best friend Dan and the rest of the family. George was a wonderful man that did many things to help us boys grow up to be men. Two of the things I remember most are that he always took care of his tools & he let us kids use the Latrobe property. As for the Tools, he taught us to always clean each tool when we were done using it so it would stay in good shape, but that was just an espression of how he lived his life. He always took care of the things that were important, he took the time to care for them so they would last. As for Latrobe… We boys and our friends spent many hours hikeing and camping in a rustic area of south ElDorado county. There we could be guys and gals and learned to take responsibility for ourselves and our lives.
He loved his family and I feel he thought of me as one of his sons too.
Rest in Gods arms forever.
Cyndi Smith says:
January 11, 2011
To Sandra Atteberry,
To the Atteberry Families – Dean, Dan, Joy and Sheryl and the 6 grandchildren
To the Peters Families – Michael, Miriam, Thomas, Kirsten and the 6 grandchildren:
George you have made life wonderful for all. You hardnose stuborned ways had taught me lots of what was out there and for that I am greatful.
When I met you over twenty five year ago I was a young women starting out in the big scary world, you and mom have taught me much, and I still practice what you had preached. Thank you
When I was first asked to meet you, back when you were dating our mother, I thought you were an odd duck, but you were happy and mom was happy an that is what counts. Thank you
Over the span of the last twenty-six years you have seen 12 grandchildren become the love of their families and they all had a warm place in your heart. Thank you.
I told mom when asked what I thought of you and her twenty-six years ago, I asked her do you love him? She told me yes. Then I told her-It is not for us kids to decide your future, but to support the relationship, to pray for blessings and to pray for your happiness together for the rest of your lives. Thank you
A love of Jesus and a love of life is what you brought to both of our famiilies for this I thank you.
Your time on earth is over, God has called you home for all of us a piece of you will forever be in our hearts. Thank you.
Dear Lord welcome your child home, for his is well loved.
Amen
Debbie Tisher says:
January 11, 2011
Dear Joy & family,
I am so sorry to hear about the death of your father. I know this last year has been filled with many ups and downs but you always stood by your dad and did what you thought he would want. What a wonderful daughter, what a special father you had. May you cherish those memories and keep them close to your heart forever.
God’s Richest Blessings to you and your family.
Harold & Suelynn Jacobus says:
January 11, 2011
Suelynn and I send our condolences. I pray that our Heavenly Father blesses family and friends with comfort in this time of loss. HJ
Jean Johnson says:
January 11, 2011
Dear Dean, Joy, Dan, and Sheryl and Lee and all of your families – when your heart is empty, filling it with happy memories can help. The last two years of my life since I reconnected with George have been so happy for me and I cherish every day we were together both in snowy Illinois and sunny California. I miss him so much.