George Lones Obituary

Dr. George Wayne Lones, a retired U.S. Public Health Service captain and National Institutes of Health Scientist Director, lay down and peacefully went home to his Lord February 25th 2013. The Colorado Springs resident was 98. Born and raised in Pine City, Minn., he was the son of a Manager at a Minn. Power Company and a homemaker. He graduated from Pine City High School with honors and was class president. George attended University of Minn., receiving a B.S, in Chemistry, Master of Science and a Ph.D. George went to work for B.F. Goodrich in Akron, Ohio as a chemist in 1937 and was transferred to Beaumont, Texas as Chief Chemist running the lab for the creation of synthetic rubber. Synthetic rubber was made by blending various chemicals together and did not require rubber trees to produce it. This discovery helped the United States emerge from World War II victorious. George returned to the University of Minnesota after the war to complete his Ph.D. program and taught biology at the medical school. It was at this time that friends set him up on a blind date with Frances M. Hansen and they were joined in marriage Sept. 1st 1950 and were happily married for 58 years until Fran's death in 2008. In 1950, George was given a commission in the U.S Public Health service as Captain in the Navy and was stationed at NIH, where he was a scientist and later scientist director in the Microbiology department doing research on fungal diseases. George retired from NIH in 1972. George was an avid reader and loved to travel during his golden years, from the Amazon to Africa he lived life to the fullest. George was a true gentleman, quiet and reserved and had a great passion for classical music. George was a member of Society of Sigma XI, American Society of Microbiology, and American Chemical Society. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Vaillancourt, daughter-in-law Mandy Regino-Lones, grandchildren- Jennifer Johnson (Semiyon), Eric Kurschinski (Jennifer), Mary Regino, and his great-grandchildren- Deontae, Taeyonna, Jaedon, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Cameron, and Arielle. George was preceded in death by his beloved wife Frances H. Lones and his son John W. Lones. Memorial Service 1:00PM Saturday, March 2, 2013 at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO. 80907 with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in George's name to the Memorial Fund of First Lutheran Church.