George William Happ

George William Happ passed on to his eternal rest in Dunnellon Florida on April 22, 2024 during his daily activities with his wife Joan Rae Happ nee Martin.

George’s life of service started early and was shaped by his decision, following high school, to enter the fledgling US Air Force as a volunteer during war time.  After completing basic training and then training as a gunner for the Douglas B-26 Invader, he left the shores of his country with his crew for Pusan, Korea.  At the age of 19, he flew 57 missions in day, night, and all weather conditions with the Black Knights of the 17th Bombardment Group.  He didn’t speak often about his flights in the gunner’s seat on the right side of the austere cockpit.  The photos from his service album tell a story of his change from youth to manhood.  Included in the assortment are pictures after his first and his last missions.  His life of service and dedication had been cast.

Upon returning to the US, he continued his service with the Strategic Air Command in the developing mission of air refueling until his release from active service in 1954.  He returned to Cleveland Heights eager for his next chapter.  George had attended Shaw High and a friend arranged a blind date with a young women who had also attended there after he had graduated.  Different accounts of that day were told by George and Joan.  One fact that they both agreed on was that, days after a first date that neither left certain about, Joan strangely appeared at the gas station, where George worked, in need of fuel.  George would recall two things from that day.  One, there were a lot of stations much closer for Joan to use and, two, the kiss that she blew him as she drove out.  Little did he know that 68 years of marriage, adventure, children, grandchildren, and family with the true love of his life had begun.

After several endeavors, George settled in Chardon, OH where he lived and worked for Nationwide Insurance.  George and Joan worked closely together for many of those years.  Never far from his children’s lives, George was a devoted father.  He spent hours watching the full variety of his children and grandchildren’s sports including nights in the press box at Chardon High School filming the Hilltopper football games.  He was an active volunteer with the local YMCA devoting many hours as a driver, participant, leader, and mentor to both his own children and other local youth.  He devoted hours to his faith and social associations.  He was a counselor to many in need of help and openly shared his own faults with those struggling to turn their lives in a better direction.

After retirement, George and Joan split their time between the Chardon area and Dunnellon until making Florida their home.  George spent his final years in service to, and under the loving care of, his soul mate Joan.  Until his last day, they were a fixture in their community riding bikes together in the cool breezes of the morning.

George was preceded in death by father John W. Happ, mother Willardene C. Happ nee Barber, sister Judith A. Bramley nee Happ, son Keith A. Happ (survived by Mary Beth), and great grandson Louis G. Danre (Stephane and Allison).  He is survived by children Pamela R. Happ (James Patterson) of Ohio, George R. Happ (Martha) of Utah, and Kenneth C. Happ (Pat) of Ohio, 8 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

George will be interred in a private service in the Bushnell National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL not far from where he spent his final years.  Donations to a favorite charity, that is in need of your help, would be in keeping with his humble, giving nature.