George Clayton Ferris

George Clayton Ferris passed away from this life in Grand Island, Nebraska on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the age of 95. 

George was born on December 25, 1928, on a farm near Wausa, NE to Harry and Mary (Ernest) Ferris. He attended a country school near the family farm until after the 8th grade when he attended Hartington High School while living with his grandparents John and Susie Ernest. He would eventually graduate from high school in Hartington, NE.

On December 26, 1950, he was united in marriage to Beverly Stevens of Creighton, NE. To this union were born five children; Pamela Larkin, Connie Astuto, Kathryn Minear, David, and Michael Ferris. George was stationed in Ulm, Germany with the Army 28th Infantry Division. He served from November 1951 to February 1953. After his discharge, the couple moved to Grand Island, NE where George was employed by Allen’s Drug. In November 1953, they moved to North Platte where he became the Assistant Manager at a new Allen’s Self Service Store. George was promoted to General Manager at Allen’s in February of 1959 and remained at that job until the store closed in Spring 1984. 

In 1984, George was hired briefly as a General Manager with the Gibson’s department store in Hastings. After 18 months, George received a call from Vern Shepherd of the Allen’s store in Hastings for a job as the Sporting Goods department manager. He graciously accepted and remained in the department until his retirement in 1998. 

In his retirement years, he enjoyed gardening, lawn work, and yard upkeep along with his love of photography of his family and the new technology that became available. He and his wife Bev were active members of the Grace United Methodist Church and the community of Hastings. He was also eager to help and deliver “Meals On Wheels." In his final years, he would embrace the technology of video chatting with kids twice a week. 

He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Beverly, and daughter, Kathy along with his mother and father Mary and Harry Ferris, and sisters; Jennie Mae Ferris, Donna Kinkade, and Harriet Nixon. 

He is survived by his children Pamela(Steve) Larkin of Greeley, CO; Connie(Joe) Astuto of Rochester, MN; David Ferris of Las Cruces, NM and Michael(Laura) of Dublin, Ireland. Grandchildren: Celica(David)Phipps of Whitman, NE; Karen Henton of Estes Park, CO; Andy (Katie) Larkin of Puyallup, WA; Matt(Jessica) Larkin of Greeley, CO; Dan (Brittany) Astuto of Omaha, NE; Suzanne (Zach) Rawson of Rochester, MN; Mary Ann & Thomas Minear of Great Bend, KS; and Joseph Ferris of Las Cruces, NM. Great-Grandchildren: Hannah & Hailey Phipps, Nate & Jeffrey Henton, Julianna & George Clayton Larkin, Emma, Annlee, Dulcie Joy & Greta Kay Larkin, Sydney & Juliette Rawson, Gianna, David, Michael, Joseph, Elizabeth and Matthew Astuto.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at Grace United Methodist Church in Hastings with Rev. Ben Hanne officiating. Burial with military honors by the Hastings Military Honor Guard will be in Blue Valley Cemetery, Ayr, Nebraska. Visitation will be Monday, July 8; 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be given to Grace United Methodist Church.