George Robert Conrad

Obituary

George Robert Conrad (77) of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away surrounded by family and friends on October 24, 2023. George was born on November 24, 1945 in Cincinnati, OH to Ben and Josephine Conrad.

George was raised outside of Cincinnati, OH and worked as a farmhand. He loved fast cars, especially T-Birds. In 1964 he graduated from Goshen High School and was accepted into the AirForce. He completed basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, from there he was stationed at Otis AFB in Massachusetts, and later went on to USAFE Rhein Main, Germany. George became skilled at airframe repair, sheet metal, corrosion and maintenance management and documentation. He earned a promotion to Seargent in July, 1967. With the birth of his daughter in 1968, it was time to leave the Air Force and come home to his family. In 1968, he received an honorable discharge from active duty and in 1970 received an honorable discharge from the Air Force Reserve. It was during his time in service that he found his passion in aviation. George went on to enjoy a nearly 20 year career as a Mechanic with Eastern Airlines. It was common to see him with aircraft manuals laid out as he studied every part of each airplane on which he would work. He took his responsibility very seriously stating that each time he signed off on an aircraft he thought “would he sign off if his family was on that plane?” If he wouldn’t put his own kids on that plane, it wouldn’t be good enough for yours. He earned his private pilot license in the early 80’s and had a great time flying his Cessna 150. After his career at Eastern he continued to work as a contract aircraft mechanic travelling all over the country and the Caribbean. George also took great pleasure in boating. He loved being on the water, whether it was fishing or pulling us back and forth across the lake skiing for hours.

If he wasn’t flying us in the Cessna or pulling us on the boat, we would have been riding on his motorcycle. As we remember growing up, he owned and rode many motorcycles and later would love the time he spent with some of his best friends riding all over Florida. Once he retired to Florida, bike week was every week!

George’s love for mechanics spanned auto, air, motorcycles, and boats. He was always working on some kind of engine or vehicle for his family or friends.

While his love for aviation and anything with a motor was apparent, nothing was more apparent than his love for his family. He was always proud to be our dad and never let us forget that. Like the sign above our family pic stated, “Family is everything”. George spent countless hours coaching football and working around and on the house with his family. There was never any question of how much we meant to him. He lived for his Grandchildren and was able to meet and spend time with his brand new little Great Grandson Kayden. He spent several years caring for his Great-Great Nephew Liam and loved being his Pop Pop.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone at Advent Hospital in Daytona Beach, Florida for the outstanding compassion and care they showed George and our family, especially Dr. Orshansky. You will never know how much comfort you brought to us during these difficult months.

George is predeceased by his mother Josephine E. Laedeke Conrad, Father Ben C Conrad; Sister Betty Jo Smith (Jack Smith), Sister Norma Rainey (Jack Rainey); Niece Dawn Rainey, and Nephew Kelly Smith

He is survived by his Daughter Lisa (Scott) Oden, Son Robert Conrad; his former wife and mother of his children Nancy; Grandson Robert Von Oden, Granddaughters Brookelyn Tidd, and Jessica Oden; Great Grandson Kayden Saxton; Nieces Linda Jo (Charlie) Kenser, Mickey (Patrick) Blake, Rhea (Art) Cosgrove, Bev (Andy) McDonald; Nephews Jack (Jane) Smith, and Rusty Smith; Numerous Great Nieces and Nephews, and Great-Great Nieces and Nephews.

Family and friends will gather for a graveside service on Tuesday, April 2^nd, 2024 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, at 1pm. Please plan to arrive no later than 12:40pm to be included in the service. The address is 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of George be made to: Embry Riddle Daytona Beach Aviation Maintenance Science Department (DBAMS)

To the Disabled American Veterans