One day before his 83 ^rd birthday, George Innes Jr., passed away in Mercy Hospital. George was born Aug. 25, 1935 — the youngest of three children. His parents, George Sr. and Minnie, raised their children on a farm in Fayette, Mo., until they moved to Fort Leonard Wood. When George was in high school, the family moved to St. Ann, a suburb of St. Louis, where he was the president of his senior class at Pattonville High.

George met his wife, Barbara, while a student at Central Methodist in Fayette. Graduating in 1957, they were married in 1959 and began their married life in Freeport, Ill., before moving to Springfield in 1963. There, he and Barbara found life-long friends at Kings Way United Methodist Church, where they both sang in the choir. George also began a career in the construction industry alongside his brother-in-law, Jim Masters, with Masters Jackson Paving Co. He was vice president with the company, working in Springfield and Joplin before he became general manager at Springfield Ready Mix until his retirement in 2005.

George made friends wherever he went, and his enthusiasm made others want to join him in supporting numerous organizations, especially Boys and Girls Clubs of Springfield. He was the epitome of a loyal club member, proudly serving in leadership roles with numerous associations, including the Springfield Contractor's, Homebuilders, Metal Builders, and Women In Construction, as well as the Sertoma and Rotary Clubs, YMCA's Indian Guides (he was the Indian Guides Chief of the Osage Nation), Women In Need, and Abou Ben Adhem Shriners, playing the symbols in the Oriental Band.

Preceding George in death were his parents; loving wife, Barbara, and sister, Pat Masters.

Surviving George is his older brother, John, and his wife Dottie of Michigan. George also leaves behind two sons: Brad and his wife, Madelynn, and Scott and Vanida Paschall; grandson, Jack Innes, and his wife, Katelyn, granddaughter, Jane Innes, as well as their mother, Deborah Innes; nephew Mark "Buzz" Masters and his wife, Gere, and their daughter, Britt, and her fiancé, Dan Prystawsky, from Colorado. Also surviving George are: niece Susan Masters and her husband, Larry Schmidt, of Colorado; nephew Steve Innes and his wife, Inna, from Texas; niece Clare Innes and her wife, Rebecca Padula, from Vermont; and niece Suzanne Innes and her partner, Brian Klauer, from Michigan.

George was proud of his Scottish heritage and his mother's tough pioneer roots from western Oklahoma. He was also proud to serve his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1957- 1963.

The family wants to recognize George's close friends Marc Wilson and Josh Hufford, who made it possible for George to enjoy his later years in the comfort of his home.

A memorial services will be held Friday Aug. 31, at 4:00 p.m. in King's Way United Methodist Church, 2401 S. Lone Pine in Springfield, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. A visitation reception will follow the service at the Shrine Mosque in Springfield. At George's request, memorial contributions can be given to the Boys and Girls Clubs.