George Allesee, Jr.

George Allesee Jr., 97 years old of La Porte, IN, passed away Monday, August 12, 2019 in his home surrounded by family.  George was born March 18, 1922 to George and Florence Allesee, La Porte.  He was the oldest of four siblings, Margie (deceased, age 6), Dick (deceased, July 2019), Bob (MI), and Tom (FL).  His dad, George Allesee Sr., was Physical Director at the YMCA and his mom was active at La Porte First Baptist Church and WLOI radio station.

George enlisted as a cadet in the Army Air Corp and received his wings May 23, 1944.  Nineteen day later on June 11th, he married Josephine "Jo" Pate, La Porte.  He then shipped out to Naples Italy where he served as a C47 Troop Carrier Pilot in WWII.  George retired from service in 1947 as a Captain, Army Air Corp.

On the GI Bill, George received his MA degree in education at Indiana University, Bloomington.  He taught history, geography, and political science at LPHS and substitute taught well into his 70's where he was fondly referred to as "Mr. Chips".  He also developed Intermural Basketball at LPHS as Athletic Director and was the first to introduce girls to the program.  Allesee Park is named after his dad.

George and Jo had three children, George Allesee III (deceased, 1964), David and Nancy.  Son, David, and wife, Shirley, live in WI.  Daughter, Nancy, and husband, John Richmond, live in CA.

George was blessed with two granddaughters, Sara Jo (Jon Klepp) and Maria Ann (Dwayne Sweeney) and five great grandchildren, Paiton, Addison, Hana, Stella, Simon, with a baby girl on the way.  George also had numerous nieces and nephews, who always enjoyed hearing his life stories.

George and Jo shared 67 years together, until her passing February 13, 2011.  They were avid IU basketball and Slicer fans.  They also loved to dance at their over 40's dance club. George loved the great outdoors and was often seen walking the streets of La Porte tracking his distances.  He would say "I'm going to walk around the world".  Of all their wonderful experiences and memories on life's journey what they treasured most was faith and family.  Their beautiful legacy will live on.

Special thanks to the community, agencies, friends, neighbors, and family who made his final chapter full of love, dignity, and honor.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Monday, August 19, 2019 at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center with Pastor Allen Wright officiating.  Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery.

A time of visitation will be held from 10 am until the time of the service on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to VNA Hospice, 501 Marquette St., Valparaiso, IN 46383 or to LPHS Athletic Dept., 602 "F" Street, La Porte, IN 46350.

Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.cutlercares.com.