My role at Winebrenner provides opportunities to work with many who demonstrate what it means to use their “time, talent, and treasure” within God’s kingdom. Today I want to pause and celebrate the life of someone who embodied this idea, George Whitson. There are countless stories about how George was a force for good – specific to Winebrenner Seminary, he served on the Board of Trustees and was elected Trustee Emeritus following his service.
I had the privilege of knowing George and Shirlee and our family experienced their hospitality and generosity firsthand. Quite literally, Winebrenner Seminary would not be where it is today if it wasn’t for the efforts of George – he was instrumental in securing the property that serves as the present location of Winebrenner Seminary.
I was able to attend the funeral last Friday and heard many stories about George’s generosity and influence. You can access the full obituary by clicking here.
The following is an excerpt from his obituary:
George Martin Whitson, 93, of Findlay, died peacefully Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, surrounded by his family.
He was born Jan. 6, 1931, in East Lansing, Michigan, to George and Gertrude (Foster) Whitson. He married Shirlee Jacobs on June 7, 1952.
George and Shirlee both graduated from Michigan State University in 1952 and, after a honeymoon in Niagara Falls and New York City, they drove to Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in North Carolina, where George reported for duty in U.S. Army. After serving two years as a Military Police Instructor, George left the Army as a 1st Lieutenant and the couple returned to Michigan.
George was working at Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon Oil) when he transferred in 1963 to the company’s headquarters in Findlay. He left Marathon as its Real Estate Manager in 1965 and soon founded Whitson Properties, a real estate investment and development firm.
He quickly grew to love Findlay and was one of its most enthusiastic cheerleaders.
George was very active in civic organizations. He served 16 years on the University of Findlay’s Board of Trustees, was awarded an honorary doctorate, and was named a trustee emeritus. He served 14 years as a member of the Board of Trustees of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, where he was also named a trustee emeritus.
He was also active in Findlay Area Youth for Christ, National Public Radio of Northwest Ohio, Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and Findlay Rotary Club among other organizations.
George had a strong religious faith and was a longtime member of College First Church of God.
Along with his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Diane (Clifford) Hite of Findlay, Barbara (Bob) George of Findlay, and Linda (Scott) Stocker of Lexington, Kentucky; son, John (Patricia) Whitson of Findlay; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Whitson of Findlay; 18 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister, Nancy Kandel of Long Island, New York.
He was preceded in death by his son, Paul Whitson; two granddaughters, Katie Ann Whitson and Tess Louise Whitson; and sister, Sally Sullivan.
George was a huge Michigan Spartans fan. He and Shirlee had football season tickets for more than 50 years at Spartan Stadium. He also passionately cheered for all Detroit professional sports teams.
His greatest loves were his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
[…] Dave was a man of vision. As President it was Dave’s vision that allowed this facility to go from an idea to this physical structure which opened in 2003. I was a student at Winebrenner in the late 1990s when this was just a point of conversation among Winebrenner, the University of Findlay, and the Churches of God, General Conference. [George Whitson, who also recently died, also played a significant role in this project – you can read reflections on George by clicking here] […]