George New

Services for George Saunders New, 87, Leavenworth, will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at High Prairie Church, 26480 187th St., rural Leavenworth.
The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday at Davis Funeral Chapel, 531 Shawnee St., Leavenworth.
Mr. New, died Saturday, April 3, 2010.
He was born Dec. 18, 1922, in rural Leavenworth and was a lifelong resident of the area. He was the son of Oliver Frank and Carrie Agnes (Saunders) New.
Mr. New is survived by his wife, Martha Louise New; four daughters, Carrie A. Ritchey and husband, Kurtis, Debbie L. Miller and husband, Jeff, Linda L. Warrick, Bill, and Nancy L. Wood and her husband, Joe; one son, George Frank New; two sisters, Viola Pike and Idabelle Edlin; 16 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one granddaughter, Kimberly Ritchey, son-in-law, Larry O’Neill, two brothers, Richard F. and Jack O. New and one sister, Mildred New.
He attended Faulkner Elementary School and graduated from Jarbolo High School in 1940. He then went on to attend Kansas State University until he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served his country as a carrier pilot during World War II.
He was married Aug. 8, 1945, to Martha Thorning and after the war moved back to rural Leavenworth where they raised their family and operated a successful dairy business for more than 50 years. George’s lifelong love of working the land and nurturing animals is best summed up by a plaque found on his desk that states: “I love not man the less, but nature more.”
George was a very active member of his community, serving on the Deacon and Elder Boards at First Presbyterian Church of Leavenworth, the Lansing School Board, Leavenworth City/County Health Board, the Leavenworth County Dairy Association and numerous projects with the Leavenworth County Extension. He encouraged many area youth as a 4-H project leader and Boling 4-H Club Community leader.
He also worked with the youth at First Presbyterian Church as a Jr. High Sunday School teacher and youth group leader.
Memorial contributions may be given to High Prairie Church.