- Date Of Birth: November 4, 1923
- Date Of Death: May 30, 2013
- State: Florida
Patricia Adelle Longon George, born Nov 4, 1923 died at home May 30, 2013. She was the youngest child of James P. Longon (JP), an Irish immigrant, and Elizabeth Russell (Bess), a Quaker. Theirs was a turbulent pairing. Hard drinking JP invented the hydraulic lift which provided a fortune that was lost in the crash of 1929 and subsequently restored, due perhaps to Bess’ strict Quaker principles
The family moved from Memphis to Alamo Heights in San Antonio where Pat attended high school. At the start of WW II she adventured off to Alaska to serve as a cryptographer where her pronounced dyslexia proved for once to be a dramatic asset, and she excelled in the breaking of codes. After the war, she returned to San Antonio to reunite with and wed her pilot sweetheart, Lt. Arthur F. George.
The family remained in Texas while Art commanded a squadron in Korea. His valor was rewarded with a plum assignment down under, and in 1954 Pat had the honor of being one of the first spouses in the Australian RAF officer exchange program. The low point of that tour was when Art returned from TDY with an electric heater – then gave it to his RAF commander to heat the chicken coups. The high point of the tour was everything else.
Young Pat was always game for adventure. Back in the states, she became an avid antiquary in the back counties from Ohio to New England. In South Dakota she entertained as Base commander’s wife, then competed in the goat tying events at the local rodeo. While stationed in Turkey in the early 60’s she dove for sunken relics and prowled the souks alone in search of local artifacts. She was fearless and indefatigable in her quest of adventure, which was how she approached Art’s retirement. She was determined they find a place to retire that would provide a great destination for her grandchildren, and thereby insisted they settle on the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Pat designed the “house that Art built,” was a charter supporter of the Symphony, crafted avidly, and actively pursued her bucket list until April 2004, when she lost Art to complications of flesh eating bacteria. She never regained her joy and her universe imploded through the years until her death. She was faithfully and ardently cared for, day and night, by Ernestine Rouse, Pat’s personal angel and health care miracle worker.
Pat is survived by two daughters, Raylinde Payne George, and Sidney George Speer; fondly remembered and adored by her two grandchildren Robert T. Speer Jr. and Christina Speer Reinsch; and will be legend to her three great-grandchildren Niamh and Anais Reinsch and Blake Speer.
