Hey all, this is Frank Herbert, George Brady's Son-In-Law. First of all, thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. It was tough, seeing someone who never smoked, never missed a Dr appointment, who worked hard 8 days a week, go from metastatic cancer diagnosis to passing in 10 days. It was also amazing to watch fellow trappers step in to help in the days that followed, as well as protect from unscrupulous dirtbag lower forms of life in people clothing.
George was a force of nature, and as a retired Game Agent, he saw his purpose to mess with the WA State Legislature generally and WDFW specifically. "Rocket Scientist" smart, he was invited into the MENSA High IQ society (Top 2% of all IQs) in his teens, he was content to stay a simple Wildlife Control Agent in the field.
Outside of trapping and general interest in the fur industry, he was civics minded, serving on our town's city council for nearly 20 years, and stepping in as mayor when the devastating 2014 Carlton Complex fire which took out a good 20% of homes here. Due to his leadership and understanding of governmental systems, the town not only got rapid supports, but was the only affected town to receive full FEMA payouts. He also got what at the time was a small disaster response organization manned by veterans, Team Rubicon, to come in and do immediate relief.
He also gave people a chance and opportunity that I wouldn't have. One fellow we work with told me "George pulled me out of the worst slum in Yakima, and after meeting me one time, gave me his credit card, told me to go buy what I needed, and I was to pay him back in fur. Who does that?" Many times, I trained prospective skinners, people that otherwise couldn't find jobs in normative society due to their background. Through his actions and business contacts, he kept a web of people throughout the nation in business.

George also had a wicked sense of humor. On fur runs for Fur Harvesters, he would introduce me to new trappers as "The mute that only understands Spanish," or my favorite; "This is Frank, my Life Partner". As a Game Agent, he once picked up an illegal deer on opening day, then in making his rounds and finding his own family's Deer Camp empty, he hung the deer up, returning to write a ticket as they flailed around, blaming each other.
As Skinner trainer (And self-appointed Fur Shed Union Rep), I would always lament when he'd pay a skinner, "George, you said you'd start paying me once I got good!"
"Don't worry, Frank. You're almost there."
"You told me that in 2002."
"Well, some people learn a little slower than others."

With George's passing, I've now promoted myself from "George's Hebrew Slave" status, to Chief Skinner. I hope to continue, in some small way, picking up fur, taking care of local trappers and hunters, as well as helping others. For those that knew him, it would be great to hear "George stories"!

Frank

Frank Herbert
USMC (ret)

Life Member:
Military Order of the Purple Heart
VFW
Disabled American Veterans

Very Nice Eulogy.
God Bless.

God speed...RIP!

From a fellow game warden...

My condolences to all his friends and family.

I'm on the run now but am glad I took time to read your post. I think I met you once while meeting up with George to send my beaver off to FHA.

George had a heart of gold. The last visit I had with him was this last March and I asked if we would like to buy some of my nutria with tails-on. An item I knew he was occasionally interested in. How much did I want for them? Says I:.... was thinking maybe $50? (I thought that might be a little high). So he hands me $60 and says done deal.

Can't tell you the amount of times he bent over backwards to accommodate me getting fur off to FHA. One heck of a guy...sure going to miss him.

Side note: Are you taking over his FHA position?

No doubt about it, George was one of the great ones. Always with a smile and a joke; always willing to give you that trap "that you'll need next week". Frank theTank, I'm really glad to see you stepping up, although you've got tremendously big boots to try to fill. I'm already missing George stopping by Tendoy and picking up fur. I wish they made 'em like that these days...

Jack Whitman

I'm looking into FHA receiving...I've got to make sure I have dedicated storage first, and I will likely not do any routes unless tied directly to auctions, as FHA didn't pay enough to even cover gas on routes. Oh, I can sell you back those nutria..."Friends and family special-80 today only!"

Not even an attempt to fill them, Jack! Hopefully I can make it out that way soon again

You, me and George all smiling over that one! LOL

He was one of the best. The Intermountain Fur Harvesters will miss him.

Really gonna miss George. It was so fun getting him going, talking about the shortcomings of the WDFW and WA politics in general. Regardless of the conversation you could always learn something from George.

Hey all, this is Frank Herbert AKA Frank the Tank. I've been MIA for a bit. After losing George to a surprise cancer diagnosis in June, we had been picking up the pieces when in Sept his wife Brenda took ill. In early Oct she was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma. I've been living bedside for 6 weeks at the University of WA Fred Hutchinson Cancer center, where she got a terminal diagnosis. We brought her back home (we live next door) this week for hospice. Tough bird that she is, she was told Oct 14th she had 3 days. Go figure. She's from the South, so she doesn't know how to quit. To her, it wasn't the Civil War, but "The War of Northern Aggression" and it isn't over yet.

Again, Frank, thanks for stepping up. Talk about a double-whammy! Losing George was grim. Couple that with Brenda getting sick. Hard to swallow that bitter pill. Anything we can do over here, let us know. Best wishes for Brenda. Take care...

Jack

That is tough news. Real sorry to hear it. She's lucky to have dedicated family members that allows her to go with dignity in her own place. Bless you!

Nice write up Frank. Thanks for sharing. Everyone loved his humor and banter with Kortum during live auctions at the ITA fur sales. He'll be missed for sure.