SLOAN, George Alvin

George Alvin Sloan March 24, 1944 - September 23, 2009 George Alvin Sloan was born March 24, 1944, in Morenci, Arizona, the son of Harvey and Evelyn McDonald Sloan. He grew up and spent his adolescent years there. At the age of 12, George began working at Cox Upholstery in Clifton. Following his formal education, George enlisted in the United States Army. During his service to country, George’s duty stations included Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana where he served as a personal secretary to the commanding general. In 1967, George received an honorable discharge and returned home to Arizona. Soon thereafter, he met Valynda Phillips. They were married January 17, 1970 in Silver City, New Mexico. To this union were joined four children. Throughout his life George was employed with Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation, Kennecott Utah Copper, and was self employed as an upholsterer. George was an Elder and devout member of the Grace Tabernacle Church of Safford. His love of life, art and music will not soon be forgotten. George lived and loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, relative and friend to many. George is survived by: his wife, Valynda, of Thather; three daughters, Sherri McCurdy, of Thatcher, Marti Petritsis (Paris), of Wayne, New Jersey, and Rebecca Hoopes (Corey), of Safford; two sons, Steven, of Thatcher and John Montez (Gail), of Safford; his sister, Pauline Haynes (David), of Kennewick, Washington; two brothers, Richard Gatlin (Dolores), of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Merle “Red” Gatlin (Beulah), of Las Cruces, New Mexico; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Sloan, of Springerville, Arizona; thirteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Evelyn Sloan; and his brother, Harvey. Obit: Vining Funeral Home, Safford, Arizona.