I first met George in 1957.  Our fathers had just been transferred to Camp Darby, Italy.  I really wanted to be best friends but, he was ten and I was five.  So, I imagine, I was just a nuisance.  Our families shared a duplex in the town of Terrinia for the next about three years.  Our parents became close and stayed in contact after we all ended up in the Colorado Springs area after both dads retired from the Army.  For a number of years we got together at thanksgiving, one year at their home in the Black Forest and the next at ours in town.  I always enjoyed going to their place as George had the neatest stuff, a fort out in the woods, a car we 'd go flying down the dirt roads in.  I thought I was going to die in that car.  We were never in much contact outside of thanksgiving and even that stopped as we got older.  I didn't see George again until around 1973/4 when he came by where I was working and we caught up a little.  That was the last time as he went into the mountains and I went off to college and the business world.   Seeing his pictures, I think he made a better choice.
I always knew George would create his own path in life and not a traditional one.   And, I am very happy to see that he made a good path with lots of friends and family.  

Don't know if you all found the pictures the family shared  on this page under "FROM THE FAMILY".  Don't miss em!


I found this note our mother wanted George to have when she passed away.  Since he beat her to the finish line, I thought I would share it here now.

"Dear George
THANK YOU for helping me, for when I needed someone to talk with every evening at 6 o’clock (except when the phone did not work) helping with good advice, or just talk, knowing someone cared so far away, and thank you for helping with books, and other stuff I needed I could not find here. 
 I wish you had come visiting more; I missed seeing you very much. I hope you have a good rest of your life.  Don’t let anyone change, stay true to the Lord Jesus
Thank you again, and know that you have been a great help to your mom.
Love Mom"


George

I met George in the summer of 1971. It was my first summer at sky Ranch as a counselor. George was already a legend at Sky Ranch. One of our counselors had gotten altitude sickness and had to go home. So it was decided to call George Prentiss and see if he would come for this emergency. I don’t remember if he arrived in his Studebaker or his old Willys pick up but he did arrive, flat-brimmed leather hat and pony tail - In the middle of the night. I think this was his first experience as a camp counselor and he was given a group of 12-year-old boys. I was awakened about midnight by a racket outside my cabin. It was George, taking his boys on a midnight run through the camp to wear them out and settle them down. They loved George.

Many years later, George stop by my house as he did sometimes. I was gone to Home Depot  but Mel Seanor from my church was helping me with a project. Mel greeted George at the door and had a brief conversation before George needed to go. Mel told me a man named George stopped by and described his appearance. I said, “That had to be George Prentiss.” Mel said, “Prentiss. That sounds familiar. George Prentiss! I think I went to the same school with him!” Mel explained that he had heard that name many times over the intercom at school - “George Prentiss, please come to the principal’s office.” Although George was a legend, Mel’s first face-to-face encounter with George came in detention study hall. At some point, Mel shared the good news of salvation and changed lives in Jesus with George. It took about a year before I could get Mel up to George’s cabin for a long-awaited reunion and sharing of high school memories.

Like so many, I will miss George but will never forget him.

John 11:25–26 (NIV84): 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

My husband Todd (TJ) and I first met George & Marilyn in the autumn of 1995 when we moved to the Lazy D Ranch in the Pingree Park area.  In a sort of “pass-the-muster” activity we were introduced to one of George’s inventions at his cabin.  His zipline over the ravine.  It was exhilarating to try but I vowed to never do that again as surely my luck would run out.  I believe that it probably still works to this day!  

We always marveled at George’s knowledge and his perseverance to live in the high-lonesome beauty of Hourglass.  To snowmobile his way in and out during the winter months would be no easy task for most but it was just another adventure for George.    Without a doubt he was a man for these mountains and this was his heaven on earth.   

George was a good man and a good neighbor.  His positive attitude,  his Faith, his warm smile and practical resourcefulness were just a few of the many traits that served him so well and brought him to meet so many folks on the mountain. 

We’ll dearly miss our sporadic visits with George along the roadside, sharing a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning as he headed off to church or spending time on the phone checking in and comparing notes on the weather, news of the world and the mountain.  

Rest in Peace, George.  You will always be in our hearts and minds.  And, we’ll smile knowing that you’re still watching over things up on the mountain!     

Karen and Scot Barker
In 1993 we, purchased Hourglass.   George came with the property.  We’ve chuckled about that for many years.  Little did we know that George, the “mountain man", would be best part of the transaction that became our paradise.  George generously shared his knowledge and deep love of its history, legends, and hiking trails, and we came to depend on his steady respect and wisdom of the wilderness he considered home.  In addition, he became a father figure to our son, Christopher who was nine months old when we moved in.  He even bought diapers one time when he made his weekly trips to town. By the time Christopher was ten, he had become an expert using George’s prized tools, even learning to weld as the two of them huddled together assembling a complex dune buggy inside the most sacred place of all, his garage. Yes, there was cursing and impatience with a precocious kid, but in the end, George taught our son the value of appreciating what was old and original; new is not necessarily better.  George practiced what he preached; he walked the talk and lived life his way.  Christopher made George the subject of many English homework assignments, including an essay on life’s lessons taught by George for Christopher’s entrance to college.  For Scot and me, we will miss our fireside chats, setting off fireworks over the lake each 4th of July and talk of his “mountain man stew”.  Too many memories to recount.  The bottom line is we loved George as a member of our family.  Hourglass will never be the same, but his spirit will forever whisper upon the lake and amongst the families of moose, and when the wind blows through the forest, we’ll hear his friendly “howdy do”, and see the twinkle in those dashing blue eyes. 

I first met George in what must have been the mid '60's at Sky Ranch.  This was a period of great change in our lives, not to mention the U.S.!  We quickly developed a good friendship that continued to grow over the early years of Sky Ranch.  A couple of those years I worked at the camp for the summer and we were able to develop a close friendship through our mutual love for the camp, its ministry, and the wilderness environment that existed back then. When George began building his house at Hourglass I helped him frame the first floor, first floor exterior walls and second floor. We spent several nights sleeping on the floor under the stars. A great time together! I wish had stayed in closer touch but memories of our times together will remain close to my heart. Rest in peace and loving arms my friend. 
Stan Olsen 

     I don't know if George ever knew how much I liked him.  I think I showed it to him with the joy I expressed every time I spoke with him.  As I spent most of the time in the wilderness above 10,000 feet alone, it was always a comfort to be able to run into George and fellowship with him.  I really appreciated having him at the base of Comanche Peak, my favorite mountain.  

     I don't know if George was always aware that I was up there.  Every time I was at the top of Comanche Peak I could see George's place below.  I could also see his place from the junction of Beaver Creek and Flowers Trail where I often made my base camp.  As well as my base camp off of the Hourglass Trail at the base of Comanche Peak. 

     I always liked his stories and sense of humor.  He gave me a book that Pastor Wayne Buller gave him to give to me.  At one time I was speaking with both of them at his place passing through.  They both gave me another book.  We spoke of amazing things.  His place was an outpost, a crossroads for many of us.  Seeing Scott Limmer's crew there, the Greeley Water boys, Jim, Scott, Bruce, and Doug always made me think this place is alive after spending so much time alone.

     The Barker's and Dale's were an added feature to this small group.  To me it seemed like a big city.  This year was the year of the mountain men reunion for me as George, Scott Limmer, Pat Timmins and Pat Jr., my old friend Elgie, Jeff and Cole from Sky Ranch, folks in the Rawah, and many mountain men from all over had a rendezvous with me of some kind.

     I told George a few stories of my Angelic encounters and encounters with The Lord in the mountains above.  I think he appreciated them.  His Faith was strong and he lived it.  What a Blessing he was to this lone ranger.  I don't believe in coincidences and I know all things happen for a reason.  I would often pray for George when I was above his place in the mountains.

     Until we meet with Jesus  

    Psalm 91        

   

My father and I met George in October of 1986 when we were hunting in the Comanche Peaks Wilderness Area.  We became friends and when I later started guiding hunting trips up there with my company, Comanche Wilderness Outfitters, George was always there to lend a hand when needed.  Besides being a loyal friend, he allowed my crew and I to stay at his place between hunting trips and to keep our horses there.  He was a kind man, a gracious host and a patriot.  I will always remember his kindness to me, my family and my crew.  It just won’t be the same up there without him and his friendly smile.  I will miss him greatly.  The only solace I feel is that I know he is will the Lord now and together, they will be watching over us for our safety on the mountain.  George was one of a kind.  God Bless you, George, and Rest In Peace.  I will see you again someday!

While at Sky Ranch I met Casey before I met George as he was yelling be careful he bites. I was 15 years old and little  did i know of the adventures to come.  Like taking Terry Steinhoff's mothers car to him and his new wife in Vancouver,with Casey along for entertainment.  Then hitch hiking back to Colorado. 
Many winter and summer back packing trips. Lots of 4 wheeling almost to end in disaster  several times.
I will miss you George. As others will too.



I met George in 1965 at Sky Ranch.  We were in one of the first Ranchhand cohorts to experience a wonderful summer digging ditches, burning trash, burying the waterline from Beaver Falls, chopping wood, helping Mrs. Blehum in the kitchen, debating right and wrong with the counselors.  In George's mind, he won all his debates all of the time.  That was okay. 

Over the years, and in the luxury of his home at Hourglass, George was a gracious host and always hospitable to people he knew.  He was easy to make friends with most of the time.  He loved being in the presence of worshipful praise and song.  We loved being in his environment.  

I was chopping firewood last week, a few days after his death, and was astonished in recalling that over the years, whenever I was sorting and stacking a pile of firewood, I would think about George living in the mountains. I would think about George stacking firewood too.  We already miss the reality of knowing we won't see him anymore, at least in this lifetime.   Heaven has a new ambassador.  We miss you, George.  Chop Chop. 

David & Kathy Gies

George was a good man and a good friend!!!  He was a true Man of the Mountains — A rare breed in these times; clothed in work jeans,  a flannel shirt, rugged shoes and a well worn hat!!  
He loved the home he built with Marilyn (and his back yard resource center);
He loved caring for the Hourglass properties;
He loved Winnie; and most of all;
He loved the peace and serenity the Mountains provided him!
He will be missed by all who knew him!!
God Bless Him and his Family and Friends!!!
Larry and Marilyn Dale

We fondly remember George and the good times we shared at his place, fishing, hiking, storytelling, etc. 
It would be good to hear from Marilyn.  

We worked together as ranch hands in 1965.  We winter camped together in the middle of the Pingree road at the Twin Lake turnoff on a 4 foot snowbank.  We cross country skied in waist deep snow together with ole Casey up Mummy Meadows trail and had to ski down by moonlight when we ran out of daylight.  We stood up for each other when we got married.  I knew him in his BC days and in his BA days.  Ginny and I miss him terribly already.  Bet there are some mountains to climb up yonder in heaven for all those whose names are written in the Lambs book of life!  T&G

George was working on    his cabin in 1984 when we met and instantly we befriended each other, having the same kindred spirits in the Lord. He hosted us in the Dale's large cabin for our Faith Ministries leadership retreat. Over the next 36 years, we enjoyed walking the mtn. sides, riding in his jeep. We watched so many movies after hiking year after year as well as discusing books and  especially The Bible. We listened to music together and reminisced of years past and the present where we prayed for needs for our country's welfare,  churches, family, and individuals. It was fun when George and his dog came to our BBQ's and car shows and Music Outreaches with CC Church and Youth Hotrods Car Shows/Reachout Mi istries music programs and luncheons in Greeley over the years. What a good brother he was. We would have many conversations over the phone concerning weekly  adventures. What a good friend George was to me over these years. I will miss him much these next years. May the Lord bless his family, church family , and friends. You all can read a good passage of Scripture; that  of fighting a good fight of faith which he did. God Bless you Rob and family and Randy and Poudre Church folks.  Wayne Buller. 

George was a close friend for over 20 years.
I enjoyed his laughter, conversation and camaraderie.
He had a kind soul.  My life is richer for having known him.
He will be sorely missed.

Rex Kroemer

OBITUARY

George Ormand Prentiss

August 28, 1949 – November 10, 2021

Mountain View Funeral & Cremation

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