As we pack up our house to move and I sift through all of George’s things, memories are flooding back. I’ve been through letters from old girlfriends, passports, checkbooks, emails, childhood toys, drawings, song lyrics, love letters to me, and pictures, pictures, pictures.
Never have I missed George more than I do these past days. The anniversary of his accident is this Saturday. He passed away on September 4th. I am asking people who read this blog to please post here in the comments section any memories or stories tht they have of George. I plan to download the comments and save them for Lily. Many people have been so kind to us since his death. I would like her to know how people felt about her father, and some of the memories they have of him. Since Lily was so small when George left us, her memories are all from a child’s point of view: tickle fights, swimming, Disneyworld, walking the dog, favorite restaurants, reding together. I would love her to know more about George. Please share!
xoxo Lisa
PS. If you didn’t know George, but have interacted with me and Lily since the accident and have something to share, please do. Its my experience that children who experience great trauma like this often forget large portions of their childhood. I’m hoping I can help Lily remember this time in a positive way as she grows up.
{ 11 comments }
I have countless fond memories of George. My dad (dick beaver) being an old highschool close friend, he would from time to time just “stop by” the house. this may not sound like a big deal, but living over 3 hours away, it was certainly most welcomed surprise! I suppose he would be coming back from some long flight. I remember he would tell us about how planes flew using a model I had as a kid. I remember him, dad, and another close family friend staying up to the wee hours of the morning discussing the reality of God. I remember going to stay with him at his house in atlanta, and seeing Jeff Beck and carlos santana with my dad and him. I also remember jamming with him in his apt when I was probably less than 12 years old. He taught me back in black by ACDC! He had such cool guitars, and the first rickenbacker guitar I ever held in my hand was his! I remember his pet birds, and keeping my fingers away from them! He was so cool, and we all just hung on every word he said (my 2 sisters and I).
any way, this might be more than you wanted, but i could probably fill up a couple pages!
love to all,
Jim Beaver
Jim, George loved your dad and was crushed when he passed away. He was always saying how impressed he was with the love in your family and how you always said, “I love you,” when you parted. He modeled himself on your dad when we had Lily, and always whispered “I love you,” to her every time he saw her. Thanks for your comments.
Lily, I really got a kick out of seeing your dad change your diaper for the first time. He really went to great effort to get it right. It was totally out of character for him but he seemed to be enjoying every aspect of it. He was quite a “show off”
I have fond memeories of George too, My daughter Khadajah goes to school with Lily and I remember 2 years ago we came to your house for holloween George and my husband William passed out candies to the kids with your dad, and you and I walked with the kids…I still have pictures, it was a fun night.
I didn’t really know him, but I saw him onstage. I was a fan of AngelLust and of the Brains.
He was a great musician and extremely handsome, but not vain or arrogant. I have learned that he was also a faithful friend and a hard worker. Most important he was an adoring husband and father. He is traveling with you.
Lily,
Your dad was a prince. Dashing and brave. As a young man he played guitar for Angelust, a rock and roll band my brother and I formed. We loved him the moment we saw him. He could really play and it was marvelous to be around him. One of his guitars was a brilliant gold color. He took real good care of it. I’m sure he took good care of you and your mom as well. Know that he is with you always in spirit. We can only assume that he’s playing guitar with real angels now, making celestial music for us all.
Thanks, Robert, for the sweet comment. I will read it to Lily. xoxo
george always had a twinkle in his eye. no matter what drama or challenges were roiling around in the day, he had an energy of positivity and it seemed that with a laugh and a dose of his magic optimism, anything was possible. steady, confident, george gave everyone a sense that everything would be ok. and even fun, as well:)
Thanks, Liz. I miss you!
Wow, time doesn’t stop. Even when life goes into a holding pattern. You’ve got to find the fuel to keep going and another home-port to land. So proud of you two and your recent move into your new home.
George and I flew together many times. He was the Captain, ultimately responsible for the airplane and all cargo. I was the Copilot – sharing the responsibility but not yet qualified or experienced to be a Captain. Some Captain’s are good, some are bad. George was a good Captain – the best. He taught me how to be a conservative pilot. How to make good decisions and how to slow down during weather or operational issues. I learned a lot from George that I still use today flying as an airline pilot.
Every time I saw George, whether it be at the hangar (eating McDonalds before work, or, after work spending an extra 15 minutes talking at 4 o’clock in the morning), at an airport (Pottstown) or flying with him in the airplane (we flew the Cessna 310, Beechcraft Baron and Socata TBM700 together), George would always have a story to tell about Lilly – something so funny, and, I remember, something so different because Lilly is so gifted, so smart, she would say and do things that only a grown-up would do! Some men talked about their cars (toys), their accomplishments, their experiences. George talked about his daughter and wife. He loved being a father and a husband. He loved to laugh and loved to live – always laughing, always smiling.
Even when times were tough, when we were fighting the weather, anything, George always knew how to make you smile or laugh. People wanted to be around George, people wanted to be George – flying airplanes, playing in a rock band, having a beautiful family. He was so cool (unique, no one else was as cool of a guy than George…).
George also talked about Lisa. He would always say how attractive Lisa is and how she was a good wife. When you spend hours with someone in an airplane, you really get to know them. George was a happy man because his wife made him happy. He would tell of his history with Lisa – when he saw Lisa years after they had broke up, he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. He loved his wife.
I have met thousands of people. There is no one nearly as funny, smart and as cool as George “Maddog” Maddox. A handsome ‘English’ looking man with a Southern accent and a great laugh, such a funny, great guy. And he could play the guitar, or recite World War 2 history – a man’s man. Such a cool guy…
Chris,
Thank you for your kind memories of George. He was cool. A good dad. A really fun person. Someone you never forget knowing.
I was so lucky to know him. Love him. Be his wife.
Hope we can see each other soon, and I can watch you become a great dad, too. I’ll always remember your support one year ago at the hospital in New Jersey. You being there saved me from falling apart. I hope your life is happy and full… and long. xoxo Lisa
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