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
Kirsten Peters says:
January 11, 2011
To my dad,
I miss you very much. I wish I got to say good bye to you and so do your grand-daughters. Hannah has taken it really hard when she heard of your passing, as did I and Sandra Rose. I hope you will be able to rest in peace, with your Mom and dad, and, find Irv to play cards and catch up on the latest news. Love you lots.
Lori Davis says:
January 11, 2011
Just like the snow has blanketed our city, may God’s comfort cover you with the quiet and healing that you need. May His loving care and the warm memories of your dad surround you.
I had no way to know your father, but I certainly saw the love and concern that you poured out for him day to day over the last months. I so related to you as a daughter who is devoted to my own father. I remain amazed at your grace under fire – having to balance the pull to help him with all of the demands of your work and just day to day details back here at home. No one can possibly know the way you struggled to honor him and meet his needs on a daily basis. I hope you and your sister and brothers can feel confident that you provided all of the care and love that anyone could have wanted in their last days. Well done. God bless you and give you His perfect peace.
Lori Faris says:
January 11, 2011
I am praying for your family’s peace knowing that your Dad is with the Lord and at peace. Please let me know if I can do anything to help. Joy, love to you and yours.
Michelle Alverson says:
January 11, 2011
Joy, Ron & Christine
I am sorry for your loss. I know that you will miss your dad, father-in-law and grandfather tremendously. You have so many great memeories. I remember how much he enjoyed attending softball games and basketball games. Oh, how much he enjoyed supporting your family wearing his GACS shirt with such pride. He will be missed by many friends and family.
Ruth Henderson says:
January 11, 2011
Our memories of George are many as he and his wife, Sandy, joined the Durham Good Sams in 1989 and we enjoyed their company on many, many campouts with our RV’s. George had a wonderful wry sense of humor and was good at whatever office/responsibility he undertook — be it president, treasurer, wagonmaster or trail boss. We have all missed him in the past couple of years when poor health caused him to forego camping but our memories continue in our photo albums and the stories we tell about “Georgeisms”.
Our condolences to Sandy and the entire Atteberry families.
Ruth Henderson, Historian,
Durham Good Sams