George G. "Poppy" Esgate

ESGATE—George G. “Poppy” Esgate, 88, of Florence, passed away June 27, 2012.

George was born in Junction City, Ore., on Jan. 3, 1924, to Lenora Smith and George H. Esgate. The family moved to Florence in 1932 and homesteaded up the North Fork, where he worked and attended school. He joined the U.S. Army when he was 18 years old. During World War II, he was stationed in Normandy, France, and elsewhere in Europe in the 612th Graves Registration Company from 1943 to 1946 and received the medals.

On his return from the service, he married Alice Esgate and helped raise three sons.

Among other things, he was a logger and also owned his own dairy up the North Fork; he was always a very hard worker.

George remarried again, to the love of his life, Anita Sims, in 1973. He was a loving and devoted husband and father to five children.

He enjoyed gardening with his grandkids and great-grandkids, hunting with his good friend Tom Barnes, and fishing with Jake Brazille and great-grandsons Marley and Phoenix Brazille.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anita; his sisters, Margaret Sisler, Helen Shirley, Betty Hambrick and Anna Sandall; a brother, Arthur Esgate; a grandson, Danny Haring; and a daughter, Tammy Esgate.

He is survived by his sons: Dale Esgate and his wife, and Kerm Esgate; his daughters: Debbie Haring and husband Alan, Karen Kimber and husband Tony, and Brenda LaDuke; many grandkids, great-grandkids, great-great- grandkids and nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by many people, family and friends.

At his request, there will be no services held. The family plans to have a celebration of life at one of his favorite locations later in August.

Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.



Share on Facebook