Obituary of George Washington Maine

George Washington Maine (Junior), loving husband, father and grandfather passed away on January 4th, 2020 in Santa Ana, California. He leaves behind family and friends who will miss him dearly. George was born in 1937 in Boone, North Carolina to George and Ethel Main (sic) and always identified Watauga County and the mountains of North Carolina as home. He had a love of all things automotive and had a talent for restoring and repairing anything mechanical. His first job was driving a school bus at the age of sixteen. After graduating from Appalachian High School, he attended diesel mechanics school in Nashville, Tennessee. He later obtained a master's degree in Industrial Arts from Appalachian State University. He served as a school teacher for many years and taught subjects including industrial arts, diesel mechanics, and biology. He also ran his own automotive repair business for many years. George also served his country as an Airman in the United States Air Force. He was based in Homestead, Florida for much of his Air Force career and often talked of having a front row seat for the Cuban Missile Crisis. In addition to his fondness for cars George had an eclectic range of interests and skills. He drove diesel auto-motives for years keeping one favorite car in service for over 400,000 miles. He was an expert woodworker, builder and kept bees for many years. He had a lifelong interest in water power and would often take his family on weekend jaunts to scout out some obscure site of a former mill or still standing water wheel. He enjoyed travel and for many years he and his family traveled the country in a camper that he constructed from a former bread delivery truck. He loved a good conversation, especially over a home cooked meal. Most notably, he was a kind, caring, patient and compassionate man. George is survived by his wife, Christine Ragenovich Maine of Anaheim California, a son, Henry Maine of San Jose, California, a daughter Melanie Maine (Jeff) Timbs of Austin, Texas, and a stepdaughter, Alexis (Rocky) Berlanga of Anaheim, California as well as four grandchildren: Taylor Timbs of Denver, Colorado, Courtney Timbs of Austin, Texas, and Samuel and Owen Berlanga of Anaheim, California. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Keller Maine, his parents, George and Ethel Main, his sisters Edith West (Herbert) and Janet Cannon (Randel), a brother, Henry Main and a nephew, Milton West (Lisa). Services for George will be held at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home on Saturday, January 18th with visitation at 1 PM followed by a memorial service at 2 PM. Burial with military graveside rites provided by American Legion Post 130 and DAV Chapter 90 will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grandfather Children's Home in Banner Elk, North Carolina PO Box 98 Banner Elk, NC 28604 (https://www.childrenshopealliance.org). Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Maine family.