George Wallace Morrell, 88, passed away peacefully at home on February 9. A second generation native of Arizona, he was born in Florence, AZ on September 29, 1919. He moved from Florence to Tempe to attend Arizona Teachers College (Arizona State University) and graduated in 1941. He was voted King of the Campus that year. George joined the Air Force in December of 1941 and became a Night Fighter Pilot. He was trained by the RAF to fly the British Beaufighter. The flight jacket that he wore in 86 missions is on display in the British Air Museum in Duxford, England. He stayed in the reserves as a Lt. Col and was recalled during the time of the Korean War to help establish Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. In 1946 he returned to Arizona State Teachers College as the Purchasing Agent and was very instrumental in the growth and development of ASU. He worked at ASU until his retirement in 1983. During his career, George was President of National Association of Educational Buyers and served on the Board of the Educational and Institutional Co-op. After his retirement he continued his association with the University by helping establish the ASU Retirees Association. George and his wife Patti traveled extensively in the United States and Europe. There are few places in the world they have not explored together. When not traveling he loved playing golf and visiting his daughters in California. He is survived by his best friend, his wife Patti whom he has known since they were teenagers and was married to for 62 wonderful years; his daughters Cynthia Morrell and Nancy Swanson, son-in-law Dan Swanson, sister Anna Lee Hall, numerous nieces and nephews, three grandchildren, Bob Swanson, Cheryl Yeaton and Mark Swanson, seven great grandchildren and many lifelong friends. He was one of those unique people who made everyone else feel special and he will be missed by his loving family every day. George and Patti helped build and have been lifelong members of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. An interview is available in our Video History library