George A. LaMar

Burma Bridge Buster-Bailed out into India-Landed his way into our Hearts George A LaMar of Stone Mountain, GA, was born in 1921 in Panama OK. He enlisted in the army Air Corp at the age of 16, but during WWII you could fudge a little and get away with it. The first three years were happy days for him. After training, he started out as a spotter for Japanese Submarines. During the search missions on B-18's his job was to arm the bombs in the cabin- and kick the 100 Pound payloads out of the plane upon the spotting of Japanese Subs. He was then assigned to the 10th Air Force special attachment to ferry A-29's to Chiang Kai-Shek's Chinese Air Force. That mission took him around the world, Trinidad, Belem Brazil, an overwater hop to Ascension Islands to Accra Africa, Khartoum Egypt to Aden Arabia then across the Indian Ocean to Karachi India the Gateway to the CBI China-Burma-India Theater. George was among the first troops to occupy the base in Assensole, India. It was a small agricultural town that benefited from the base, and they all prayed the Japanese would stay on their side of the China Hills, which separated Burma and India. George, aka Hedy, boyish and friendly and his friend Steve, the tall Swede, made an operation of sourcing liquor and then finding a way to bring it to the base. Let's just say the hotel owners were reluctant to part with the Scotch but the two worked their charms and probably promised to marry a few of the daughters. After each search mission the Fighting Sargent's parked their planes and found their welcome at one of the most popular NCO clubs in the 10th. However "Into each life some rain must fall". While bombing the Burma Bridge, the Japanese attacked their fleet. They lost all crew except the pilot and George turret gunner at the time. As they tried to return to base they suddenly learned the meaning of liquid rain, monsoon. It was tremendously powerful. It was pitch black outside. The Radio was useless in this storm and they were hopelessly lost. They had to bail out not knowing where the storm had taken them. George put on a head lamp and flipped on the planes navigational lights. When his chute opened, it was with such a jerk, he thought he was caught on the plane! What a relief when he saw the plane's lights disappear into the night. George was so happy he started singing, he shone his light up into the chute and all round. Then he heard the sound of water and his worst fears were realized. If they landed in the ocean there was little chance of rescue. When he hit the water, to his relief, it was only a foot deep. He got his bearings and walked to the top of the hill. In the back of the chute was a jungle pack; inside was a knife, compass, water tablets, matches, fishing line and a big bar of chocolate. Well not exactly, someone had broken into the pack and stolen the chocolate! He started walking but the further he went the deeper the water got, so he went back to the top of the hill and dug a hole in the sand and got to where it was warm and believe it or not curled up with his chute and went to sleep. He had landed on the top of a sand dune! He can be remembered for his five significant loves in his life: One: He loved God and knew that one has to believe in Jesus to be saved. He also had an insatiable intellectual curiosity for biblical History and wondered why everyone didn't have that same curiosity. Two: He loved his family and friends deeply—He wasn't demonstrative but nevertheless his love was genuinely profound. He had a unique bond and relationship with those he knew. Three: Love for animals- He graduated from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a BS in Animal Husbandry. He and wife Joyce raised rabbits and ducks while attending the university. He loved his Rhodesian Ridgeback "Cha Cha" his favorite dance and is survived by his Ridgeback/Labrador Mix "Chatt" in custody of Charles LaMar, son named for the city she came from, Chattanooga. Four: Dancing be it Ballroom or Round Dancing he was light on his toes and loved to practice. Music was a huge part of that: Sinatra, Glenn Miller and Kenny Rodgers were some of his favorite artists. In fact the last song I heard him sing was "You picked a Fine time to leave me Lucille". Five: Gardening enthusiast - He grew so many Daylilies he needed journals to keep track of the different varieties. To share them with friends and family brought him even more pleasure than watching them grow and bloom. 91 Years 91 Daylilies! He was a very strong independent person who was very decisive and proactive with his health. He was an avid reader, a master gardener and continued learning throughout his life. He returned to school in his 40's and received his MBA from Georgia State University. He was a Sales Manager, and later a Radio Control Airplane shop-owner where he met lifelong friends. He passed away quietly and peacefully October 20, 2012 of natural causes at the age of 91. He was born June 18, 1921 of the late Ada and George LaMar in Panama OK. He is survived by his Son Charles R LaMar and his wife Andrea LaMar, his Son Jack L LaMar and wife Charlene LaMar, his daughter Georgia Lee LaMar, former wife Joyce LaMar, Grandchildren Brandon LaMar, Shannon R LaMar, Mary Kathryn LaMar. He is pre-deceased by his brothers Roy LaMar and Floyd LaMar and his beloved Grandson Ryan LaMar. He is also survived by loving friends. The service will be held October 27, 2012, 11AM at Wages and Son Funeral Home, 1040 Main St, Stone Mountain, GA 30083. After the service Lunch at 623 Kenilworth Circle, Stone Mountain, GA 30083- His favorite foods to be served. Special Thanks to the VA Doctors and staff, Odyssey Hospice and Rosemont Nursing Home. They took exceptional care and were infinitely patient. In lieu of flowers He would have loved donations to his friends Buster and Debbie Harlson's Dog Harmony Animal Rescue Fund, P O Box 191362, Atlanta, Ga 31119 or Ryan LaMar Memorial Fund c/o Silverdale Baptist Academy, 7236 Bonny Oaks Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421.