NAIFEH, George Soloman, Jr. (Dr.)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, April 30, 2011 Dr. George Soloman Naifeh Jr. was born Nov. 26, 1931, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, to George and Rose Naifeh. After completing high school in 1949 and one semester at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, George enlisted in the Navy and honorably served from 1951 to 1955. George met and married Virginia Lowenberg in 1955 and moved to Iowa City. In 1957, George was accepted into medical school at University of Iowa and received his M.D. in 1961. In June of 1961, the family moved to Phoenix, Ariz., to enable George to do his internship. Dr. Naifeh conducted a thriving general practice in west Phoenix and the family moved to Litchfield Park, Ariz., where they lived for almost 30 years with the exception of three years (1967-1970) in Galveston, Texas, where he did a radiology residency at University of Texas Medical Branch. Upon their return to Litchfield Park, the Naifehs moved into their newly-built home with their seven children, all of whom graduated from Agua Fria High School in Avondale before getting various college degrees. In 1997, Dr. and Mrs. Naifeh moved to Prescott, Ariz., to retire. However, retirement was very brief since he accepted part-time work in the radiology department at the Prescott VA Medical Center. Dr. Naifeh died in hospice care in Prescott on April 21, 2011, after two weeks in the ICU. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginny), and his seven children, Kathy Naifeh, Kimberly Reichmann, George Naifeh III, Dr. Kerri Smith, Kelli Price, Kamila Sharp and Kristin Erno. He is also survived by his brother, John Naifeh; nine nieces and nephews; 15 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Dr. Naifeh was dearly loved by his family and respected and liked by his friends and the medical communities in which he worked. His life was full and happy because of his faith in God and his devotion to his family. His work was an endeavor of passion. He traveled to Peru, Romania and Micronesia for medical missions. Dr. Naifeh was an avid civic volunteer throughout his life and was a big brother in Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters. He was a former member of the Litchfield Park Kiwanis and was active in St Luke's Episcopal Church in Prescott. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3208 Lakeside Village Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301, 928-778-5135, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 1-800-822-6344. A celebration and gathering for Dr. George Naifeh Jr. will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2011, at the Northern Arizona V.A. Chapel, 500 Highway 89N, in Prescott. A committal with military honors is at 3 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2011, at the Prescott National Cemetery, corner of Highway 69 and Highway 89, in Prescott. Please visit and sign Dr. Naifeh's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com. The Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Information provided by survivors.