POTTER, George Melvin 1926-1948

POTTER

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 15:09:22

George Melvin Potter 1926-1948

#1
GOERGE POTTER DIES, CYCLE CRASH VICTIM

Funeral services were being planned Wednesday for George Melvin Potter, 21, Negro, of 821 Fowler street who succumbed Tuesday night to injuries received Monday when the motorcycle he was riding went out of control and crashed.

Potter sustained a severe head injury, a compound fracture of his right leg and a fracture of his left arm.
He died at 8:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Hospital.

He never regained consciousness although physicians worked over him steadily.
He was riding his motorcycle south on highway 218 Monday afternoon when the machine apparently went into a speed shake about a mile and a half south of Waterloo, investigating officers said.

The highway patrol reported that Potter and his motorcycle traveled at least 200 feet along the side of the road before stopping. They said Potter apparently hit a telephone pole before landing alongside his vehicle.

He was born in Waterloo, April 6, 1926, the son of R. G. and Grace Potter. He was graduated from East High school in 1945.

After graduation he joined the army and served with it for 19 months. In May 1947, he was discharged and was attending Iowa State Teachers College at the time of his death. He was a sophomore.

Potter was a member of the East High school football and track teams, a city league basketball team, a hockey team several years ago, and the Waterloo Motorcycle club. In music, as a drummer, he was a member of the high school band orchestra and swing band, the “Pops” orchestra some years ago, and an army band.

At the time of his death he was a member of the ISTC band and the American Legion band. He was also drummer in a Waterloo dance band.

Surviving are his parents, a sister, Mary Elizabeth, and a half-brother, Alonzo, all of 821 Fowler Street.

He was a member of the African Methodist church. His body is at Kistner Funeral Home.

Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, October 27, 1948

#2

GEORGE MELVIN POTTER

Funeral services for George Melvin Potter, 21, of 821 Fowler street, who died of accident injuries Tuesday night, will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at African Methodist church. Rev. J. W. Collins will officiate.

Mrs. Potter was a member of American Federation of Musicians, local 334, of the YMCA and of Iowa State Teachers College “I” club, having won a letter in track while a student there.

Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery where VFW units will be in charge of military rites.

Waterloo Courier, Thursday October 28, 1948