Christopher John George, Jr.

Christopher John George, Jr., 67, passed peacefully into eternal life at his home surrounded by his loving family on August 18, 2021 in Olathe, KS. Chris was born on June 12, 1954 in Olathe to Chris George, Sr. and Neva Clevenger George. He was the fourth of twelve children, the "fourth and finest" as he liked to say. He attended St. Paul Catholic School and graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1972, where he was a member of the 1971 State Championship football team. When Chris was 16 he called up a cute girl on the drill team named Lisa Compton and asked her out for pizza after a game. The two were together from then on. They were married on October 22, 1977. Chris worked at his dad's construction business from an early age, and then, in 1976 when he was 23 years old, he started Chris George Homes. After 45 years in the construction industry and building over 2,500 new homes, his reputation amongst customers, Realtors, developers, other builders, lenders as well as his subcontractors and employees could be summed up in the quote from one fellow builder who said, "He always treated people fairly, did things the right way and did exactly what he said he was going to do." The company continues on under the leadership of his two sons. While his business was always a focus, Chris' life revolved in great part around his wife Lisa and their five children and, in later years, being "Papa G" to his seven grandchildren.

Chris and Lisa truly complemented each other and made an incredible team. Together they created a beautiful life filled with family, friends, love, faith, hard work, and a whole lot of fun. Chris was a man who knew what mattered in life, and lived accordingly. He cared about what was important and was easy going about the stuff that wasn't. He loved his wife and children and was a source of constant support, encouragement and love. Through his actions, he taught us that family is everything. He had the often all too rare combination of kindness, integrity, humility and a great sense of humor. His quiet generosity with family and friends was a consistent theme throughout his life. He had many lifelong close friendships that he valued dearly. Through the years, he created memories with these friends on ski trips, hunting trips (particularly a yearly favorite pheasant hunt in Norton, KS) and golf trips. He gathered those friends and family members and started a recreational softball team in 1976 that he called the Gazelles. This team continues to this day, with his sons and nephews and a new generation filling the roster. Chris was team captain and the name stuck, with friends referring to him as "Cap'n" for years after. At each season's end, he would throw big parties complete with elaborately crafted awards personalized for each player, usually featuring hilarious poems he had written. He had an ability to draw others to him. You wanted to be in his presence, you wanted to hear his stories — and man, he had a lot of good ones, like the Topeka attack people (if you know you know). He started hosting weekly poker games in his office and later in the famous Poker Room above his garage, a tradition that has continued on Thursday nights for decades. Those nights combined some of his favorite things: friends, family, Scotch, cigars, poker, political discussions, and great stories, told again and again. He really was one of a kind, in the very best way. From his carefully chosen white top hat and cane for his wedding to trading some construction work in the '80s for a small plane and taking pilot lessons; from his "gator" dance moves at family weddings to his continuing war with the raccoons in his office; from his crooked #7 index finger that could point around corners to his devotion to endless puns and dad jokes; from doing flips off of boats to impress the grandkids to the endearing, and certainly unique, nicknames he had for his daughters. Our lives were made richer and better in every way because of his presence, and words can't express how much he will be missed. We are grateful to God for the blessing he was in our lives.

Chris is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lisa George; his daughter Megan Anz and her husband Alan; his son Caleb George and his wife, Ashleigh; his son Christopher George, III and his wife Katey; his daughter Brianna George; his daughter Lexi George; his brothers Dan George, Mike George, Terry George, Paul George and David George, and his sisters Cathy Fritz, Sharon Lang, Margaret Diviney and Linda McCoy. His grandchildren are Anneliese, William, Mary Corinne and George Anz and Gibson, Gilbert and Gwyneth George, and a new baby due later this year. He is also survived by numerous other extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chris and Neva George, and his siblings, Tim George and Lori George.

The family would like to thank the many wonderful healthcare professionals at the University of Kansas, M.D. Anderson, Washington University, and Appl Orchard Hospice who assisted Chris and the family throughout the months of living with glioblastoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Chris' memory may be made to the Head for the Cure Foundation at 1607 Oak Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 (headforthecure.org), which raises awareness and funding for brain cancer, or to Appl Orchard Hospice,7730 Hedge Lane Terrace, Shawnee, KS 66227.


Visitation will be at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W. 143rd Street, Olathe, KS 66062, at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Rosary at 11:30 am and Funeral Mass at noon. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8300 Quivira Road, Lenexa, KS 66215. The Rosary and Mass will be live streamed. The live streaming can be viewed at the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/PrinceOfPeaceCatholicChurchOlathe


The family will host a celebration of Chris' life at Austin's Bar and Grill, 11180 S Lone Elm Rd, Olathe, KS 66061, immediately following the interment.


To leave a message of condolence for Chris' family or to share a special memory of Chris, please visit the guestbook below.