Mervin Louis George, Sr:’He faithfully, diligently, resourcefully, and unfailingly performed his sacred duties’

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Merv George, sr.Mervin Louis George Sr. popular musician, Hupa Tribal Ceremonial leader, and familial patriarch left this world peacefully and went to the Ch’idilye’diwinte-ding (place where the Ancestors dance forever) on August 31, 2018 at the age of 74. He was born October 21,1943 in Eureka, California to Elmer Gray George and Winnifred (Baldy) George. The second of three children his early life was spent playing with his siblings and cousins at the Baldy/George Farm at K’inchiwhq’it (On the nose place) near Norton Field and Hwy 96 in Hoopa. He learned early to sing and play the piano participating first in his family’s band. He started his professional musical career at the age of 12 earning $30 by playing the drums for his sister Rosalia.

He went to school at Hoopa Elementary and really blossomed musically at Hoopa High where his band “The Offbeats” played school functions and appeared on KIEM TV Channel 3’s Redwood Bandstand singing “Stagger Lee”. He played football and track earning letters all four years and an HDN White Star for HVHS Football. He married his high school sweetheart and Teenage Club co-member Laura Lee Grant, September 25, 1964. This September would’ve been 54 years of marriage.

He worked for a brief time at the Humboldt Fir Veneer Plant as a “tipple operator.” After two years he then worked for the Public Health Service putting in septic tanks, water, and irrigation systems. This began a career which found him next at the City of Eureka Public Works Department where he retired after 29 1/2 years at age 55. During this whole day job scene, Mervin’s music career was blossoming. He played briefly for the “All Stars Band” and then rekindled his own band simply known as “The Merv George Four” and “The Merv George Band” in later years. He played with numerous musicians over his 60 plus years, playing for President Nixon and Vice-President Johnson for the dedication of the new Lady Bird Johnson Grove in 1969. He played in numerous places including San Diego, Reno, venues in Oregon, and on the San Francisco Bay Fleet. Locally, he played for numerous wedding receptions sometimes more than once for the same person, retirements, New Years, Christmas, private parties even all-nighters in Alderpoint. Local venues also included the Hoopa Neighborhood Facilities, Rodeo Grounds, Flynn’s Inn, the Branding Iron, the Keg, Fat Albert’s, The Den, Del Grande’s, and all of the local casinos among many others. He was a member of the Local Musician’s Union for the 60 years plus of his career.

While he managed these two careers, a third career was left to him in 1982 by the previous Hupa Tribal Ceremonial Leader. He faithfully, diligently, resourcefully, and unfailingly performed his sacred duties to participate in and carry out the White Deerskin, Jump, Brush, and Flower Dances. He was a powerful ceremonial singer who also gave prayer, gave Congressional and court testimony in the protection of resources and the young people, repaired and created regalia, gave talks, interviews, encouraged sobriety at the Dances, and helped curate museum collections including a very popular one on the fourth floor of the Smithsonian American Indian Museum in Washington D.C., which continues to this day 12 years past its original closing date.

Mervin also encouraged young people to participate in sports as a form of wellness and building self-esteem. He often donated time, equipment, money and uniforms. He began his coaching career in 1975 at Lafayette Elementary with Softball. He coached various teams of T-Ball, Softball, Track, and Cross County over the years. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and interacting with the Six Rivers Running Club and Humboldt- Del Norte High School Track coaches.

Mervin was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Winnie George, his mother-in-law Kathryn Jackson, fathers-in-law Frank A. Grant, Jr and Jimmie Jackson. His Aunt Edith Fogus, Uncles Ray Baldy, Milton Baldy and Newton Baldy. His great uncle Rudolph Socktish. His nephew George Grant and his brothers-in-law Francis Mott Sr., Frank Grant III, John Jackson, Leonard Jackson, Leroy Jackson, and Sister-in-law Leona Lente.

Mervin leaves behind his wife Laura Lee (Grant) George; two sisters: Rosalia (George) Mott, Reva (George) Grant with husband Wayne; three children, Jennifer George, Melodie George-Moore with husband Glenn, and Mervin L. George Jr.; Grandchildren Kayla Begay with husband Carl, Natalie Marie Scott with husband Lewis, Alanna Nulph, Chance E. Carpenter IV, Pateisha Alvarado with husband Talbert, Louis W. George, Deja George, Mervin L.George III, Evelyn George, Winnifred Carpenter, Edward G. Carpenter, Trinity Moore, Cecilia Moore, Donald F. Moore; Great Grandchildren Gigi Alvarado, Bennett Moore, Ulyis George; Niece June Reckord; Brothers-in-law Zane Grant with wife Nita, James “Sonny” Jackson III with wife Melody, Dennis Puzz with wife Diane, Paul Puzz, Lincoln Jackson with wife Janet; Sisters-in- law Carole Grant, Lillian Hostler, Laura Ferris, Lila Gerstner with husband Jay; Firetender of 32 years John E. Robbins Jr. and Guitarist of 35+ years Tom Workman; Cousins Andy Andreoli with wife Tammy, Steve Baldy with wife Lois Risling, Rodney Robbins with wife Verla, Ronnie Robbins, Bautisto Pacheco, and the many cousins of the George, Baldy, and other families that make up his Ceremonial Dance Family.

Mervin Sr. was interred in a small ceremony at the family cemetery at Ch’eindiq’ot-ding near Pine Creek Road on September 1, 2018 with casket bearers Mervin George Jr, Glenn Moore, Chance Carpenter IV, Louis George, Mervin George III, Ed Carpenter, Lewis Scott, Talbert Alvarado, Robert Masten, Robert Buckman, Fillmore Harvey, and Nolan Colegrove. A larger Celebration of Life is being planned for Merv’s birthday Sunday October 21, 2018 at 1p.m. at The Bear River Casino’s Event Center. The family wishes to thank all the musicians who played with Merv over the many years; the Hoopa Tribal Chairman Ryan Jackson; staff at Hoopa Ambulance; Dr. Eva Smith; the Emergency Room Staff at Mad River; the ICU nurses, doctors and staff at Mercy Medical Center in Redding; Adam Robertson and Plant Management; all those who dug his grave by hand; and the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends and family. As the prayer goes, “Go in a good way. Don’t look back and don’t worry…we will be all right here together in this world.”

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16 Comments
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Rudy
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Rudy
5 years ago

Great man and a great family.

Old Humboldt
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Old Humboldt
5 years ago

Mr. George is, and was, a great man.
He was a stout and good example for all.
You will be sorely missed by all, Mr. George.
Thank you for all you have done.

Dan F
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Dan F
5 years ago

I can recall when iwas in High School all the “dances” were performed by Mr George & his band this was 50 + years ago!!! RIP to a great musician as well as a great individual!!!!

OrleansNative
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OrleansNative
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan F

Merv George played town dances at Orleans Elementary and the Ishi Pishi Club in Orleans back in the late 60s and early 70s. Mr. George and his bands rocked. I never knew the man personally but he was an accomplished and dedicated musician unique for such a rural area. RIP and thank you Merv George. Peace to you family too.

Lynn Cunningham
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Lynn Cunningham
5 years ago

So many wonderful memories for the family and all us friends and fans to remember. Merv was a huge part of our lives growing up, he played at my senior prom in 1967 and at several class reunions. He will be sorely missed in this community and we thank you, his family, for sharing Merv with all of us over the years! God Bless you all and we will see you on the other side Merv. Gary & Lynn Cunningham

Barbra Cooley
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Barbra Cooley
5 years ago

You will never be forgotten, Merv Sr. That you yo your family for sharing your time with so many

Thoughts and prayers to your family.

superd
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superd
5 years ago

end of an era, RIP

Elizabeth,Branham, Henkel. "Becky"
Guest

A great man, You will never be forgotten. I have wished for years that i lived closer so i could go and listen to your music. To this day i can still see you on the piano and Andy A. On the drums, during high school 57 thru 61. Thank you to your lovely family for sharing you all those years. May God Bless all of you.

Laura
Guest
Laura
5 years ago

Thank you Merv for the great memories of my growing up years, dancing to the Merv George Band! I’ll never forget you.

Mariahgirl
Guest
5 years ago

He was the best and I hope Merv Jr continues on with the band because their music is so great to listen to. The only reason we went to our reunions was Merv was playing, we just enjoyed listening to him and his band.

France Wilson
Guest
France Wilson
5 years ago

I remember in Hi school EHS as a junior.. Jennifer and Melodie we were on the soft ball team… 1982… Mr & Mrs George were always at the games.. great supporters of their daughters…
I’m sorry for your loss
France “Frankie McLean” Wilson

Marietta Christensen
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Marietta Christensen
5 years ago

Merv was a awesome human he will be sorely missed in this community.

Geoffrey davis
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Geoffrey davis
5 years ago

A wonderfully fine man has passed. ”Even played all nighters in Alderpoint”. Was there, we were there, we loved you and your music. Your spirit. You set a fine example for a person to follow in this life. T
hank you Mr. George. You will be missed.Blessings to your family and friends.

Diana Dal Porto, Bridges
Guest
Diana Dal Porto, Bridges
5 years ago

I was so sorry to hear of Mervin’s passing. I myself did not know him, but I loved his music and my brother did a lot of dancing to his music in Eureka. He was a sweet man and loved his family so much. I did talk to him when he played at the Humboldt County Fair a long time ago. He will very much missed, sending prayers to you and your family. Hugs

Mary and Dennis Mahoney
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Mary and Dennis Mahoney
5 years ago

Sorry for the families loss, continue to embrace the many great memories he left all of us with.

Herman Emmett
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Herman Emmett
5 years ago

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/times-standard/obituary.aspx?n=jerry-reynolds-reed&pid=167798715 Sorry to hear about Merv passing. Merv and Jerry are playing music in Heaven.