George Everett Prescott

SIOUX CITY -- George Everett Prescott, 78, of Sioux City died Friday, July 3, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.

Abiding by his wishes, the body was cremated. Memorial celebration of his life will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Military rites conducted by the 185th Refueling Wing will be observed at the service Thursday at the funeral home. Private graveside services will be held in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

George was born July 15, 1930, in Sioux City, the son of Everett George and Erma (Wiseman) Prescott. He graduated from East High School in 1948 and attended Wayne State College. He joined the 185th Air National Guard, retiring in 1984 after serving for 38 years. He served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. His intent in joining the Air Guard was to become a jet pilot. However, upon finding that he would be unable to do that, he became an aircraft technician.

He proceeded to become a pilot in his private life. His first solo flight was in a 1946 Aranca Chief in March 1958. He held nine different aviation ratings. In his life time, he flew more than 70 types of aircraft and had 15,500 hours in the air. He was the area Federal Aviation examiner from March 1976 to February 2007. On April 22, 2009, he was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for having flown for more than 50 years safely. He was one of only 15 pilots in Iowa to receive this prestigious honor. He also flew charter flights for Airway Services from 1966 to 1984, and Jetson Aviation from 1984 to 2009.

He married Marguerite "Maggie" Urwiler of Laurel, Neb., on Nov. 27, 1952, in Coleridge, Neb.

He loved practical jokes, puns and most of all laughing. His great spirit and generous heart will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Marguerite "Maggie" Prescott of Sioux City; four children, Susan Hunter and her husband, Jim of Las Vegas, Nev., Daryl Andrews and her husband, Mark of Des Moines, David Prescott and his wife, Valerie of Sioux City and Mary Harley and her husband, Robert of Albuquerque, N.M.; eight grandchildren, Clint Lewis, Tiffany LaPato, Christopher Barragato, Erik Hunter, Aaron Prescott, Nicholas Prescott, Michael Monson and Cheyenne Barragato; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Georgette Haddock, Norma Cox and Nancy Bowman.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name.