OBITUARY: Colonel George F. Mahoney

Colonel George F. Mahoney, USAF Ret. of Medford, Oregon died at age 86 on Sept. 23, 2018 in Ellison Bay.

George was born in Denver, Colorado on June 19, 1932 to Gerald and Muriel Mahoney and grew up in Los Angeles, California with his brother Bill. He graduated from Loyola High School of Los Angeles in 1950 and Loyola University of Los Angeles in 1954.

George was active in the ROTC program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. He served in the US Air Force from 1954 to 1980. He was a navigator on the KC-97 and B-47, and in Viet Nam on the EC-47. He served on a Minuteman I missile alert crew, and later worked in procurement and contracting completing his Air Force career. Among George’s many awards were the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and three Air Medals.

George married Joan Floris from Sacramento in 1958. George and Joan spent 39 years together enjoying life in California before Joan died in 1997.

George is survived by his son Michael (Elizabeth) Mahoney of Ellison Bay Wisconsin, sister-in-law Audrey Mahoney, nephews Brian and Kevin Mahoney and niece Geralynn Mahoney Finnegan. He was a dear friend and companion of Diane Fahrion Harding of Irvine, California. George and Diane were world travelers, having visited over 30 countries and nearly all 50 states throughout their adventures.

Throughout his life, George was a keen fisherman, and spent many summers enjoying the fishing in Alaska.