George Tapken Dies After Sudden Illness

Velma's Comment: 

"I want to take this time to thank everyone who have e-mailed me and sent cards. I know George would have like the item about him. 

We had 40 great years together and going to the class reunions was a part of our life we looked forward to and were talking about attending the next one. 

Thank you all again for your caring thoughts.

Vel   April 12, 2009

~~DickD Comment:  It is gratifying that statistics show a record number of classmates have accessed this posting in addition to personal email comments.~~

George Duane Tapken DHS54 died recently with a blood infection complication. We all can remember George best for his smile and gentle nature.

He first started working at Schwartzwald’s Furniture in Deadwood and stayed with his profession of Carpet Mechanic until he retired. He moved to Stockton CA in 1957 and married Velma. It was as second marriage for both of them and they had a combined family of 8 children. They have had many grandkids and great grandkids over the past years.

The Tapken’s shared a mutual interest in square dancing for over 33 years. George soon become a professional square dance caller. George said “becoming square dancer caller pulled me out of an introvert complex.” George and Velma continued their passion for square dancing to keep it alive as a National Heritage.

George had a neat sense of humor as seen in this 2007 Reunion picture of him and Yvonne Hobbs Jones. Damn George watch your hand!

At a recent reunion, George shared an unknown prank he pulled off one day in the DHS Study Hall. He waited until the right moment with a big toy spider tied to his prized fish string. His toss was perfect and the spider sailed over the suspended lighting and plopped down perfectly in the face of an unnamed female classmate. She screamed just as Mr. Krug walked in the Hall. Don Gable was behind Mr. Krug and saw the prank in process. Don quickly created a diversion behind Mr. Krug as George frantically pulled the fish string back into his desktop. The female regained her composure and George got all the string/spider back into his desk. It was all over in seconds, but played out in slow motion. George died a thousand deaths fearing a chat with Mr. Krug and most of all the potential loss of his prized fish string. 

We will see if the spider victim identifies herself. We are also left with the thought; did Mr. Krug see the prank? George was clearly aware that God smiled on him that prank day.

Here are some more reunion pictures of George and Velma. He will be greatly missed.

Velma and George in back ground and Leona Moser and Yvonne Jones in foreground

George and Velma

George and Velma talking with Perry Casteel

4/10/2009 Update . . . See Patriot Guard Riders <= Click