George Wallace Cecil, 74

George Wallace Cecil, 74, beloved husband, father, brother and friend, passed away Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Kalispell, after a brave battle with the horrible disease of Alzheimer's. His wife, Darlene, and dear friends Stacia and Terry Moore were at his side when he passed.

George was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Jan. 13, 1938, to Malcolm and Naomi Cecil.

George enjoyed growing up as one of four boys. The family moved to Lakeland, Fla., in the early ‘50s. He joined the Navy after high school and loved being at sea on the USS Ticonderoga. He was able to see many exciting ports during his Naval career and was extremely proud to have been able to serve his country.

After his service he returned to Florida, attended the University of Florida (Go Gators) and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in journalism.

He married his first wife, Linda, and they had three wonderful children, Laurie, Ken and Allison.

Over the years he worked as a reporter and then editor of several newspapers, including the Orlando Sentinel, Coeur d’Alene Press, Elizabeth Daily Journal, Daily Inter Lake (late ‘70s), Fort Lauderdale News, and finished his career as executive editor of the Naples Daily News in Naples, Fla.  

He met and married his second wife, Darlene Burris, while in Kalispell. They married in 1981 and lived for the next 21 years in Naples. George always called Darlene “the love of his life and best friend.”

After retiring 10 years ago, George and Darlene returned to Kalispell, where George was able to pursue his favorite activities, including hiking, backpacking, fishing, gardening, eating anything chocolate, drinking good strong coffee and enjoying a good beer or bottle of wine. Once a year he went on a “Boys in the Woods” backpacking trip with his son, rotating between Montana and Colorado. They had incredible adventures and Ken produced a beautiful book of all of their trips. He also went on great adventures to the boundary waters of Minnesota with his best friend from high school, Jerry Baumgartner. Another memorable adventure was with his brother, Jon, when they canoed Bowron Provincial Park in British Columbia. His daughters remember a special day when they hiked to the top of Jewel Basin, George's favorite hiking area. They ate lunch and marveled at the incredible view. Allison turned on John Denver's “Rocky Mountain High” and George then danced with his beautiful daughters.  

George handled his diagnosis of Alzheimer's with grace and dignity. He was an incredible husband, a proud and loving father, great friend, humanitarian and good neighbor. He was always there when someone needed help. And he was incredibly intelligent. He was the person you wanted as a partner in Trivial Pursuit because he always had the right answer tucked away in his intelligent and resourceful brain.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ronnie Lee; his mother, Naomi Walker; and father, Malcolm Cecil.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his children, Laurie Thompson and her husband Kris, and Allison Jordan and her husband Robert, all of Orlando, Fla.; and Ken Cecil and his wife, Christina, of Denver; and four grandchildren, Ashley and Austin Keaton, and Ian and Lillian Jordan. He is also survived by his “Bros Amigos” brothers, Marvin of Naples, and Jon of Fort Myers, Fla.; his brother- and sister-in-law, Glenn and Kay Voss, of Butte; and 22 nieces and nephews.

If anyone would like to do a remembrance, please make a donation to Humane Society of Northwest Montana, 100 Adopt A Pet Way, Kalispell, MT 59901. George always loved his puppies, Beau and Brandy, and he wanted all animals to have loving and caring homes.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for George's family. You are invited to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view George's tribute wall, offer condolences or share memories.