LTC (Retired) Michael Shields George passed peacefully the morning of October 15, 2023. He was born June 28, 1941, at Fort Bragg, NC to Max Shields George and Eleanor Crissman George. He graduated from Burges High School in El Paso, TX in 1959. He attended Texas A&M College, graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1963, with a Bachelor of Business Administration, and was Commissioned in the U.S. Regular Army. He later earned his Master of Arts, Business Administration, from Webster University, Kansas City, MO, in 1982.

He married Beatrice Lynn Watters on September 9, 1969. Together, they embraced the blessings and challenges of three children, three grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and numerous extended family, until her passing on November 5, 2010. He married Cherie D'Ann Willis on July 12, 2014, continuing a tradition of loving, faithful companionship, and celebrating the addition of another grandchild and a great-great grandchild.

He served 24 years in the U.S. Army, retiring at Fort Sill in July of 1987. During his service he completed tours in Germany, Vietnam and Korea. He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, in 1976. He received the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with Four Campaign Stars.

He remained in Lawton after retiring from the U.S. Army in 1987. Unable to embrace the relaxed life of retirement, he became a real estate broker and property manager, as well as an Adjunct Instructor in the Cameron University School of Business until 1995. He continued his dedication to service through memberships in the Lawton Noon Lions Club, where he served as past President and Melvin Jones Fellow, and The Military Order of the World Wars, where he served as Commander of the General Critz Chapter, and past National Vice Commander.  He was very active within his beloved church, Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he served the congregation in many capacities, including assisting with pastoral duties.

He is survived by: his wife, Cherie; his sisters, Gretchen Oglesby and Ann DiMartino; a son, Matthew Shields George and his wife Shelly; a grandson, Joshua Collins; granddaughters Tabitha Cochran, Kylee George and Leah George; great grandsons Gavin, Aidan and Anthony; great-great granddaughter Iris; Mother-in-law Marjorie Watters; as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Max and Eleanor George; his wife Beatrice;  his daughter, Tammy Lynn Harrison; his son, Donald Lewis Harrison.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Wounded Warrior Project and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Funeral service will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 23, 2023 in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial with full military honors will follow in Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin.

The family will greet friends from 6-7 pm Sunday at the funeral home.