Callens George

Callens Edward George, 83, went home with his Lord on November 6, 2013 in Amarillo. Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, November 9, 2013, at Briarwood Church, with Rev. Lynn Hancock, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Mr. George was born September 13, 1930 in Hamlin, Texas to James Albert and Grace George. He married Wanda Gruben on July 31, 1949 in Rotan, where they began their journey of over 64 years as partners in life and best friends. The love they shared was evident to anyone who knew them. Callens was a hardworking man of many talents. Through the years, he worked as a farmer, carpenter, machinist, and truck driver, and was considered a book of knowledge when it came to repairs and construction. He spent most of his life in Texas with the exception of several years spent in Virginia where he supervised the construction of hog farm facilities in Smithfield Foods of Virginia’s expansion into the live hog production industry. After retiring from Smithfield in 1996, Callens returned to Pampa where he became an avid golfer, a coffee shop regular and a part time employee of Frank’s Hardware where he was known as “that little gray haired man in overalls who knows about everything.” He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son-in-law, Weldon Harrison. Survivors include his wife, Wanda, of the home, and Callens would tell you that his and Wanda’s greatest pride are their six children, Randy George and wife Bobbie, and Christy Wyant and husband Raymond, all of Pampa, Janis Harrison of Amarillo, Phil George and wife Donna of Hooker, Oklahoma, Kevin George and wife Jennifer of Julesburg, Colorado, and Trecia Mitchell and husband Chuck of White Deer. He instilled a great work ethic in all his children and taught them how to be a friend. He was “Pa” to his grandchildren, Jennifer, Courtney, Barbie, Chad, Cali, Cami, Cati, Crystal, Cody, Tanner, Kaycia, Kaylene and Callen, and great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Callens, Jaric, Raleah, Cooper, Kylie, Braylon, Caiden and Cade. He is also survived by his sisters, Jimmy Dee Flannigan of Fort Worth and Betty Sewell of Weatherford, and several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.