George W. Dovel, 91, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-greatgrandfather passed away at the VA Hospital in Portland, Oregon on March 15, 2022.
Mr. Dovel was born May 23, 1930, in Harrisonburg, Virginia to Robert and Alice Dovel. He was orphaned and grew up as a child of the great depression but had wonderful times in the outdoors including fishing trips to the countryside in his uncle's horse-drawn buckboard wagon.
While finishing high school, George received his pilot's license. After graduation he went to work for National Airlines. He married Amy Dovel (Violet) in 1950. He served in the Army, first as an aviation mechanic, then as a cargo and medivac pilot in Korea and was promoted to warrant officer. George and Amy had the first of nine sons in 1953 at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Benning, GA. George and Amy divorced after 38 years. George and Patti Newell (Hubbard) later married and had a wonderful life together in Horseshoe Bend to include many hunting and fishing trips. George served as a father figure to Patti’s three children.
After George's service in the Army, he moved his growing family to Idaho where they purchased Strawberry Glen Airport in Garden City and a back country property in central Idaho. He was an accomplished backcountry pilot to include flying as a government contractor, a backcountry hunting guide, conducting airshows, and volunteer search and rescue. He retired from flying and bought a property in Banks, Idaho where he and his family raised livestock, and later, a second property in Horseshoe Bend where he had a farm and cattle ranch.
George was a fierce advocate for the conservation of wildlife, hunting and fishing opportunities, and the 2nd amendment. During the 1970s he published a wildlife magazine, The Outdoorsman. After retirement, he published a newsletter under the same name. He served as an advocate and expert witness on wildlife issues before the Idaho State legislature and the area representative for the NRA.
George is survived by seven of his nine sons, Bill, Mike, George, Jim, Dan, Joe, and Matt and a large number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two of his sons, Bob and John, his first wife Amy, and his second wife Patti.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at the Pioneer Cemetery in Horseshoe Bend with a reception at the senior center in Horseshoe Bend immediately after.
The family extends warmest thanks for the outpouring of wishes and numerous caretakers at the Boise and Portland VA hospitals.
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