George Leslie 'Les' McCammon, 09 Aug 1928 - 21 May 2020

MCCAMMON, HOFFMAN, CARLSON, DOWHOWER, KANDT, CLAIR, LUTTRELL, ROBINSON, SWENDER, HELMS, KESTERSON, ROGERS, POWELL

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 7/22/2021 at 09:48:55

George Leslie (Les) McCammon, 91, died May 21, 2020 in North Platte, Nebraska.

George chose cremation with partial burial at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in 2020. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. July 24, 2021 at Ohio Cemetery near Ladora, IA. A reception will follow at 12 p.m. at the Victor, IA American Legion Hall.

Les was born August 9, 1928 in Ragan, NE to George Willard and Hazel Maude (Hoffman) McCammon. He attended school in Ragan and Huntley, NE, graduating with a class of six in 1945, and lettering four years in football and basketball.

Les enlisted in the US Navy in 1946, learning radio operation and Morse Code. His duties included copying Russian Morse Code for later decryption. He served 2 years until 1948 and was honorably discharged as a Communications Technician Seaman.

After the Navy, he attended Nebraska State Trade School for automotive and diesel repair, getting a job driving large delivery trucks. He continued his education at Kearney State Teachers college studying to be an electrician, shortly earning his electricial journeyman. While working out of Grand Island, NE Lawrence Electric, he met Marilyn (Mert) Carlson of Ladora, IA, where she was working as a telephone operator.

They later married in Kearney on June 6, 1954, where their first son Jeffery Wayne was born. They moved to Seattle, WA in 1958. Shortly after moving, Les (now going by George) got a job as an electrician with Boeing Aircraft Company.

While in Washington, the remaining children, David Lee, Stanley Brian, Jean Louise and Elizabeth Carey were born. The family moved back to Nebraska in 1971 when George got a job with the Union Pacific Railroad where he retired in 1993. He held side jobs with his electrical and mechanical skills so Marilyn could stay home with the children.

After Marilyn’s passing in 1987, he met and married Cleda Dowhower in 1989. With this union came Hal and Dee. After George retired, the couple made it a goal to visit every state in the United States before they stopped traveling. He enjoyed family get-togethers with meals and lots of cards.

He is survived by his children, Jeff (Lynn) McCammon of North Platte, Dave (Becky) McCammon of Renton, WA, Stan (Janet) McCammon of Seattle, WA, Jean (John) Kandt of La Mesa, CA, Beth (Steve) Clair of North Platte, Dee (Mark) Luttrell of North Platte, and Hal (Diana) Dowhower; Grandchildren, Pam, Kyle, Molly, Avery, Jennifer, Michelle (Jack), Tracie, Tessa, Kristy (Nick), Dan (Connie), Jacey, Kayley (Josh), Britni (Jason), Mitch (Sheena), and Kristal (Lauren); Great grandchildren, David, Dylan, Carson, Gavin, Gia, Brooks, Gracelynn, Taylor, Gavin, Parker, Zaiden, Brekkln, Tenzely, Ashton, and Riley; Brothers-in-law, Art Kesterson, Wayne (Millie) Carlson, Bob (Betty) Carlson; sister-in-law, Donna (Frank) Robinson, Darlene Carlson; and numerous cousins.

George was preceded in death by his parents; an older stillborn brother and 2 month old sister; his first wife Marilyn in 1987 and second wife Cleda in 2015;in-laws Harold and Floris Swender, Charles and Elsie Helms, Ed and Helen Carlson, Tom Carlson and Teresa Kesterson; granddaughters Tara Rogers, Kortney Luttrell and great-granddaughter; Maelee Powell.

Published in The Hometown Current on July 21, 2021.