Obituary: George W. Bekemeyer

George W. Bekemeyer, age 89, left his earthly home on Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, to join his heavenly Father. George was born on Feb. 5, 1928, in Winter Garden, Florida; the younger brother to three sisters whom preceded him in death (Louise Bland, Alma Hudson and Ruth Valdes), born to the late George J. and Willie F. (Griffin) Bekemeyer.

George was a loving, devoted and faithful husband to his wife, Nancy Ann (Raden) Bekemeyer, for 66 wonderful, happy years.

He was an awesome role model and loving daddy to his five children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: children, Jan Walls (Rodney), Julie Mendez (Wayne), George Jr. (Diane), John (Missy) and Nancy Walker (Jason); grandchildren, Michael Mendez, Rachael Walls, Katie and Cody Bekemeyer, Griffin Brecke, Bryce and William Walker; great-grandchildren, Gracie and Gage.

He is also survived by nieces, Marion (Bland) Green, Martha (Hudson) Loyless, Joy (Raden) Smith; and nephews Jim Valdes, Jody Valdes, John Hudson and Lawrence Raden.

George was a member of the First Baptist Church of Winter Garden his entire life, often joking that he was born on the front pew. George accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was a young boy and lived his entire life serving his Lord. He served in his church for many years as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.

Since 1955, George served his community through the Winter Garden Lions Club, holding all offices, including president. He was recently awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, a top honor presented within the International Lions Club.

George graduated from Lakeview High School in Winter Garden in 1946, serving as class president and valedictorian. After high school he proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. He then earned a degree in printing management from Carnegie Tech University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and returned to Winter Garden to resume work at Valbro Business Forms Inc., where he had begun his employment at 10 years of age sweeping floors, eventually becoming president of the company.

When George was not working in his chosen printer’s profession, he was working as a citrus grower, continuing the citrus and gardening growing traditions learned from his father. George was a member of the Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association for many years. You could find George doing what he loved to do working side by side with his wife and family in the family’s new farm venture, Bekemeyer Family Farm, every day until his death.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Winter Garden Lions Foundation.

A visitation will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home in Gotha, Florida, from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017. A funeral service will take place at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017.