George Luck Danforth, Jr., Lt.Col. (Ret.) USAF, died at home on Wed., Aug. 9, 2006. He was born June 24, 1920 in San Antonio TX to George and Agnes Danforth.
George is survived by his wife, Katherine; children, Celia Stewart and husband, Rick; George Danforth III and Kate Krammer, Titia Wilhelm and husband, Bruce, Andrea Collins and husband, Ray, Julie Leinberger and husband, Bruce, Amy Ripley and husband, Rick, Doug Danforth, Michael Danforth and wife, Eren; step-son, Bill Hindman; 16 grandchildren, Christopher Stewart and wife, Anne, Cate and Lauren Stewart, David Wilhelm and wife Jennifer, Robbie, Julie and John Wilhelm, Emily and Alex Collins, Kristin and John Leinberger, Sarah and Will Ripley, Hannah Danforth, Brien and Justin Hindman; sister, Frances Thomas; brother, Robbie Danforth; and many nieces and nephews. His parents, two brothers, Bucky and Clarence Danforth, and two sisters, Margie Burgess and Celia Dinwiddie preceded him in death.
George graduated from West Point in January 1943 and was assigned to the 391st Bomb Group in England. He flew 69 missions during WWII, several on D-Day. He received 13 air medals. He later joined the Strategic Air Command and flew hose tankers out of Puerto Rico and Topeka, Kansas. He served 12 years in the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing and became commanding officer in detachments in England, Japan, Turkey and Greenland. After serving 22 years in the US Air Force, he received his M.Ed. degree from U of H and taught math in HISD for 12 years at San Jacinto and Lamar High schools. George was an avid golfer, lucky enough to have shot 5 holes-in-one. He ran 21 marathons, enjoyed skiing and playing bridge. He is a long time member of the former Bellaire Christian Church, which just recently merged with Bethany Christian Church.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 13, 2006 from 3 to 5 at Earthman Bellaire. Memorial service will be at Bethany Christian Church, 3223 Westheimer Rd. on Monday, August 14, at 10:30 am. Internment will follow at Houston National Cemetery.
For those so desiring, donations may be made to Christus VNA Hospice, 601 Sawyer St., Suite 750, Houston, TX 77007 or the charity of your choice.