LUND, George Richard

Vistoso Funeral Home, Oro Valley, Arizona George Richard Lund May 13, 1940 - June 12, 2014 George Richard Lund 74, peacefully passed away June 12, 2014 while surrounded by his wife and two children in his Saddlebrooke, Arizona home. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer less than three months prior. George was born May 13, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois to LeRoy and Irene Lund. He met the love of his life, Judy, during his sophomore year at Maine Township High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. They married on September 9, 1961. They moved to Peoria, Ill where George attended Bradley University. He then joined the National Guard (Cuban Crisis) Two weeks before getting out of active duty, he called Judy and said "Why don't we move to California?" It was Sept. 1962 George and Judy packed up their red 1960 Volkswagen bug and followed their hearts and Route 66 from Chicago to Southern California. It was there they started a family and George's 40 plus year career in the food service business. He started with Carnation Foods and ended with his own food brokerage business specializing in the sale of frozen potatoes and French fries. He was known as the "Fry Man." George and Judy collected amazing life long friends everywhere they lived. Southern California, Edmonds and Kennewick Washington, Salt Lake City Utah, Boise, Eagle and McCall Idaho and Saddlebrooke Arizona. George particularly enjoyed boating, golfing and cold beer. George and Judy enjoyed vacationing and ultimately living in McCall Idaho in the summer. Life was always good with them, but was even better on Payette Lake while cruising on their pontoon boat the "Family Tradition Party Barge." He was endearingly nicknamed "George Honey" because of his patient, caring and loving ways as a husband, father and grandpa. He was the patriarch of the family. He was kind to everyone he met. He was the center of every party. He was our counselor and advisor on all things in life. He was a believer and as he left this world God put him into the express lane to heaven. He left us with a smile on his face. He will be missed beyond what words can express. George is survived by his wife Judy, their two children, Julie (Todd) West of Eagle, Idaho and John (Dana) Lund of Walnut Creek, California. Also by his three grandchildren Jessica West (23), Jake West (19) and George Richard Lund II(10). George is also survived by his sister Emilie Henry of Wichita, Kansas. George's Celebration of Life will be held on Friday June 27, 2014 at 10 AM at the Saddlebrooke HOA 1 Clubhouse followed by great stories and a pizza party, his favorite food. Tributes can be made to www.caringbridge.com.