Alex George Passed Away Peacefully Monday Morning, July 11, 2011, at the Age of 73 After

Alex George passed away peacefully Monday morning, July 11, 2011, at the age of 73 after an optimistic struggle with pancreatic cancer. Alex will be remembered as a Paul Harris Fellow and past President 1972-73. He was born to Andrew and Eleni George, Greek immigrants who cherished the educational opportunities available for their children in Missoula. After completing college in three years at the University of Montana, Alex had the distinction of being the youngest certified public accountant in the state of Montana. After graduating law school in Missoula in 1962, he was also the youngest lawyer in the state.

Alex was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. After a brief but enjoyable stint overseeing artillery operations at an Army base, he was transferred to the Judge Advocate General's Corps where his law career began. As an attorney, he served as a captain at the Fifth Army headquarters in Chicago.

In 1966, he returned to Missoula to open his law practice. Coincidentally, it was the same year he met his bride, Penny. Professionally, he served as president of the State Bar of Montana, the Western Montana Bar Association, Missoula Rotary, the Missoula Symphony, and was district governor of AHEPA. Alex was a very distinguished tax attorney and mentored many young lawyers around the state of Montana. He enjoyed all aspects of his law practice, from the intellectually stimulating nature of his work to the compassion he showed all of his clients.

Although he relished situations in which he singlehandedly negotiated against national corporations, he most enjoyed working with local clients. He organized more than 40 charities and nonprofit organizations and always had time for clients whether or not they could afford services. As so many have described, his legacy in the profession will be never wavering integrity and honesty.

The most important things to Alex were his family and his church. He instilled the importance of quantity time, not only quality time with his family. He was most proud of his two sons, Andrew, an attorney who practiced law with him and Stephen, who completed his M.D.,Ph.D. in May. Alex was always grateful for the wonderful 42 years with his wife, Penny. Along with others, he established the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation in Missoula more than 50 years ago. He devoted much of his life to the well being of our church community. Alex is survived by his wife, Penny; his sons, Andrew and Stephen; his niece, Elaine Gagliardi (Dick) and nephew, Artie Hightower (Tricia), and their families.