TITUS, George F.

Norvel Owens Mortuary, Flagstaff, Arizona George Titus (August 8, 1934 - October 2, 2013) Flagstaff Icon, George F. Titus, age 79, passed unto the Lord, Wednesday Oct. 2, 2013 surrounded by family at Flagstaff Medical Center. Mr. Titus was born August 8, 1934 in Winona, Minn., the oldest of 4 children. He grew up in Minneapolis, MN; graduated 1952 from South High School Minneapolis, where he had been dating Janet L. Nelson. In 1953 George moved to Phoenix, AZ with his family, Janet's family following suit shortly thereafter. He and Janet were married in 1954, and he was working for A.J Bayless Grocery Stores. His oldest two children were born in Phoenix, and then he moved his family up the hill to Flagstaff, where his youngest two children were born. George was a part of opening the A.J Bayless Store at the top of Humphrey’s Street (now Bashas), as well as working in the East Flagstaff Store(now GC Community College Annex). He was a part of the local history of AJ Bayless as produce Manager for 35 years, and was fondly known to many as “The Vegetable Man”. George was a strong community member as well as an Active 4-H leader & Coconino County Fair Supervisor from 1967-1988, for many years worked on Saab cars as the only mechanic in Flagstaff knowledgeable on this make of vehicle. Farmed local acreage of areas that are now developed neighborhoods, as well directly instrumental in establishing Doney Park Water Systems in 1966. He was widowed in January of 1983, and met his second wife, Rebecca J. Hathaway in a Church Support group here in Flagstaff. George and Becky were married Dec. 31, 1984 with their 8 children in attendance. He retired in 1988, at which time he and Becky joined the Peace Corps for a 2 year service in Lesotho, So. Africa 1989-1990, where he was the active Marketing Manager for National Abattoir. While in Africa George was able to be a part of an African Safari hunt, enjoying the beauty of both the landscape and the amazing wildlife. Upon returning to the United States, George and Becky built their dream home and Ostrich Ranch, North of Flagstaff at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. During these years of raising Ostrich’s, he was an active member in American Ostrich Association. George was also a representative for Arizona Farm Bureau 1998-2004 George was an active member of the Lutheran Church and then later with the Epiphany Church. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, mechanical projects and handyman projects. He was an Elks Member here in Flagstaff, enjoyed all aspects of raising the Ostriches, from corralling, skinning, tanning, meat processing and incubating the eggs. George also enjoyed a very productive Greenhouse Garden for fresh fruits and vegetables from his own hand. George is preceded in death by late wife’s Janet, and Becky. He is survived by 4 children, Paul, Patty, Sandy and Jimmy;4 step-children, Susan, Tom, David and Janet as well as 18 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Viewing Services will be held at Norvel Owens Mortuary, located at 914 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff, AZ Friday Oct. 11th from 5:00-7:00pm. Funeral Services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, on Beaver Street in Flagstaff, AZ Sat. Oct 12th at 10am, burial committal services immediately following; located at the Citizens Cemetery 1300 S San Francisco St, Flagstaff on the North end of NAU Campus. The Family will be having a Memorial Reception, Celebration of Life at 12:30pm at the Flagstaff Elks Lodge located at 2101 N San Francisco St, Flagstaff (just up from the Hospital, near Jay Lively Ice Rink)