George William Eldridge

George William Eldridge, retired Colonel, USAF, passed away on July 15, 2022 shortly after his 105th birthday of natural causes.  He was born on June 30, 1917 in Traer, Iowa to Edgar and Loraine Eldridge.  He went to grade school in rural Kansas, and graduated from Alma, Kansas high school at the age of 16.  His military career began in the Citizens Military Training Corps in Kansas.  George was drafted into the Army in February 1941.  He trained as a bombardier in a B-26 Marauder, and was in the second plane to bomb on D-Day at Utah Beach. Because of the war, the Air Force became his career; after 28 years in the service he retired at the rank of Colonel in 1969, and then he relocated to Nampa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his 4 siblings, and his wife, Elena.  He is survived by his 5 children, Margaret (Michael) Gipps, George Casey (Carolyn) Eldridge, Lawrence Eldridge, Mary Lew (Marc) McCarty and Eileen (David) Turk, 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.  George got involved in Bridging the Generations at the Nampa Warhawk Museum, racing cars, and building kit airplanes.  All of these produced long-term relationships that he nurtured, especially with Tony Tolsma and his late wife Ruby.  George's neighbors have been invaluable as he chose to remain in his home of 53 years in Nampa, especially Dave and Claudia Curtis, Judy and Alan Stanford, and Bill and Debby Graves.  He was also a great storyteller to his Home Instead Caregivers who loved him dearly.

 A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday November 5, 2022 at Alsip and Persons Funeral Chapel 404 10th Ave S. Nampa Idaho. Graveside services will take place at 11:00am on Monday November 7, 2022 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family has asked that you make a contribution to a charity of your choice in honor of George.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George William Eldridge, please visit our floral store.