George Detherage's Obituary
George Alford Detherage, son of Herman and Jesse Decker Detherage, was born November 19, 1938, near Lebanon, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, January 18, 2008, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-nine years, On June 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Alma Virginia Massey, and to this union two daughters and one son were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; a baby brother; a sister, Lily Hough; and three half-brothers, Robert, Leonard, and Alvie. George is survived by his wife of fifty years, Alma, of the home; two daughters, Debbie Jackson, and her husband, David, of Moore, Oklahoma, and Amy Jackson, and her husband, Michael, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a son, Russell Detherage, and his wife, Phyllis, of Huntsville, Alabama; five grandchildren, Merissa, Joshua, Heather, Christopher, and Jacob; a great-granddaughter, Avery; and eleven brothers and sisters, Glenn “Dale” Detherage, Mae Bell Decker, Paul Detherage, Herman Detherage, Elsie Ware, Lilburn Detherage, Carl Detherage, Bonnie Hudson, Gary Detherage, Roger Detherage, and Virginia Little; a number of nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised east of Lebanon, Missouri, and attended the Detherage School. After he and Alma were married, they made their home in Kansas City for a few years. The family soon returned to Lebanon and George began a career with the civil service, first working in the supply section of Fort Leonard Wood, and later becoming a supervisor in that section. Eventually, he moved to the large engine mechanics automobile section where he stayed until taking medical retirement in 1978. He then worked for Lebanon Auto Supply for several years, retiring again in 1990. He and Alma made their home in Neosho, Missouri for eight years and then returned again to Lebanon. George was saved on December 22, 1968 at Mount Olivet Assembly of God Church and later transferred his membership to the Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church of God in Lebanon. He centered his life around serving his Lord, and throughout the years had been an adult Sunday school teacher for 25 years, a Sunday School Superintendent, and a deacon. He enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activities included deer and turkey hunting and fishing. He also was an avid reader, an all-around handy man and enjoyed doing woodworking projects. Traveling was one of his greatest dreams in life and he particularly loved the mountains and all the beautiful colors found there. For their fiftieth wedding anniversary, their daughters took George and Alma on a trip to Colorado, and their son took them to Alaska. Family was very important to George, and he especially enjoyed all of his grandchildren. George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle. He will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a Christian leader, and as a kind and caring neighbor and friend. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, 2008, in the Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Lebanon. Burial will be in White Oak Pond Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m. under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Return to top
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