- Date Of Birth: February 22, 1929
- Date Of Death: November 22, 2018
- State: Colorado
George James Distefano
February 22, 1929 – November 22, 2018
Our spunky, amazing, caring father and grandfather, George James Distefano, passed away on November 22, 2018, at HopeWest Hospice Care Center, he was 89.
He was born February 22, 1929 to James and Katherine Distefano in Tabiona, Utah. He was the 8th child out of 9.
George joined the Army when he was 18 years old. He was discharged in 1947 and was Sargent First Class. He served two tours of duty, where he was stationed in Korea and was an ambulance driver. When he was 21 he was in charge of the dispensary which was the Doctor Clinic. He earned a World War II Victory Medal and an Army of Occupation Medal in Japan.
In 1947 he bought his peach orchard from his Dad and lived there the remaining years of his life. In Palisade he met the love of his life, Nancy and they were married September 14, 1950. George and Nancy were married 66 years until Nancy’s death in 2016. They had two daughters Diana and Carol.
George started working at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center when it opened in 1949 and retired in 1985. He started out as a Nurses Aid then to a Painter and eventually retired as the Chief of Police.
George was well known in the community. He coached baseball for the American Legion, Palisade High School when they became state champions in 1969, Palisade Legionettes women’s softball team and several coed teams which included his daughter Carol and grandchildren. George was known for his third base antics, kicking the dirt and getting excited when he got the player around the bases to score. George ran the Colorado West Showdown softball tournaments for several years and the young kids always knew that if they fetched a softball and took it to George he would give them a quarter. George was honored through the Colorado Hall of Honor for Softball through the ASA softball association in Denver, CO. He took the Palisade Legionettes to many National tournaments over the years.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #50 for 63 years. He had a strong belief for God and his country. During this time with the American Legion he started the Palisade Easter Egg Hunt in 1959 and ran it until 2016 when he handed it over to his grandson Derrick.
George’s passion was his fruit orchard where he raised peaches and cherries. George’s grandson Derrick loved the orchard as much as his Grandpa so George took him under his wing and showed him the ropes of running the orchard. George has been named Fruit Grower of the year. George loved to give little baggies of fruit to all his friends at the restaurant, bank and pharmacy and to see the smiles on their face.
George was a storyteller and loved to talk about his time in the Military, his career at the VA, his orchard and about his conversations he had with his buddy Kenny. George would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere and loved getting to know people. He had a love and respect from all the people whose life he touched.
George would do anything for his family and friends and his outgoing friendliness, caring love and kindness will truly be missed. We will always love you and hold you close to our hearts. You will be greatly missed.
George is survived by his daughters, Diana Hardin (Pat) and Carol Distefano; grandchildren, Tekoa Shalom, Jessica Selan, Krystinna Hardin (Jason), Trevor Hardin, Derrick Selan (Mandy), and Hallie Hardin; great-grandchildren, Harmony, Hope and Riley Hardin, Rhyan Mason and Autumn Pope.
He was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Nancy, granddaughter Hannah, mother Katherine, father James, and his siblings, Leonard, William (Bill), James, Perry, Joseph (Joe), Felma (Sis), LeRoy (Tete) and Thomas.
