George Edgar Stocking, 74

George Edgar Stocking, 74, passed away peacefully at his home in Whitefish on Sept. 17, 2007.

He was born to Ruth and Dallas Stocking on Feb. 10, 1933. He was raised and educated in Whitefish and attended grade school and high school, graduating in 1951.

He attended the University of Montana, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and a minor in history. He went to work for Ryan Aeronautical in San Diego. While there, he met his future wife, Alice Lare. They were married Aug. 2, 1958, in San Diego.

After they were married, they moved to Eugene, Ore., where Ed was a first aid and water safety instructor for the American Red Cross. Later, they moved to Great Falls, where he continued his work for the American Red Cross and became director of the Red Cross blood program. They lived there until 1979, when they moved to Whitefish.

Ed owned the A & W Restaurant in Columbia Heights for 10 years. He then went to work for Rocky Mountain Transportation and drove a school bus for 14 years. He loved the children and they loved him. It was an important part of his life. He retired in spring 2007.

Ed was a long time member of the Whitefish Golf Club and past member of the Moose Lodge. He was an avid fan of the Bulldogs and University of Montana Grizzlies (His wife Alice referred to them as The Puppy Dogs and Teddy Bears).

He is survived by his wife, Alice; son, Brian; and grandchildren, Skylar and Sasha; son Brad, daughter-in-law, Karen, and grandchildren Matthew and Kristina, of Reno, Nev.; daughter, Sue, and son-in-law, Ray, of Reno; sister, Connie Olson, of California; and aunt, Barbara Stocking; and cousins, Flossie and Jack Fletcher.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Valley Hospital Foundation and the First Presbyterian Church.

There will be a wake (barbecue and potluck) at the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish at noon on Saturday, Sept. 22.