George Edward Atkinson Jr., 72, died January 14, 1998, at his Anchorage residence after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Mr. Atkinson was born September 15, 1925, in Trinidad, Colorado. He graduated from South Pasadena High School and Pasadena Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a tail gunnery sergeant on a B-17 bomber out of Deanthorpe, England.
Mr. Atkinson came to Alaska in 1948 and settled in Anchorage. He was president of A & G Construction Co. from 1955 until retiring in 1986. He built many roads and airports statewide and was involved in real estate and gold mining.
Mr. Atkinson was a member of the Elks and Moose lodges, Pioneers of Alaska, and the American Legion. He also had been a member and past president of the Association of General Contractors of Alaska. He received the Mr. Hardhat Award. Mr. Atkinson enjoyed traveling to Mexico, horse racing, gambling, deep sea fishing, golf, playing bridge and pinochle and gold mining.
His family said: ''George was an adventurous, fun-loving man with a very generous heart and a kind and caring spirit. He taught all of us the values of working hard and fighting for what one believes in. He was a loving husband, father and friend.''
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann Atkinson of Anchorage; daughters and sons-in-law, Suzanne and Tom Villiers of California, Patricia Atkinson and Eric Miller of Oregon, Joyce Atkinson of Washington state, and Jane Atkinson and John Spielman of Fairbanks; sons and daughters-in-law, George Atkinson III and Miye Schakne of Baltimore, and James and Teresa Atkinson of Virginia; brother, David of Arizona; sisters, Helen Atkinson Reed (SPHS '40) of California, Grace Atkinson Jenkins (SPHS '42) of Honolulu, and Clara Atkinson Smith (SPHS '38) of California; 12 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Anchorage Daily News, January 16, 1998
