George and his brothers learned the value of hard work at a young age, helping their father with his produce garden and selling chickens to their neighbors, going block to block through neighborhoods every Saturday. Their rewards included the chance to drive the family car, and their mother’s roasted chicken when they got home. The brothers quickly developed the sales experience and fearlessness that carried them throughout their lives.
George worked hard from an early age – polishing bumpers with his father at Oldsmobile/Fisher Body while he was in high school; stocking shelves; constructing roads and other infrastructure; bussing tables at the MSU Union and Kellogg Center; and working at Cowles House, where he developed a deep and personal friendship with Dr. John Hannah. He was a lifelong fan of MSU and played football under Duffy Daugherty.
George studied Urban Planning and Residential Construction while attending MSU. His education coupled with his work experience and his mother’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked his passion for land development. In fact, at the age of 19, George bought his first piece of land for $9,000 with his mother’s encouragement and support. It was his first foray into real estate.
After serving in the Army National Guard, George and his brother Louis joined forces in 1958 to establish what is now the Eyde Company. Their first major project together was Sleepy Hollow subdivision in Meridian Township, followed by Eydeal Villa and Burcham Woods. The first house the brothers ever built was their family home on Saginaw near Patriarch Park in East Lansing.
George was a man of great faith who actively participated in the Newman Club while in college and attended mass daily at St. Johns Catholic Church near campus, where he met his beloved wife MaryAnn Christensen. George and MaryAnn spent many evenings driving to downtown Lansing where they would stroll the grounds of the Capitol and dine at the Gas Buggy Room at the Jack Tar Hotel. They would frequently stop to talk near the fountain near the Capitol Building not far from where the family business is currently headquartered at the Knapps Center. They were drawn together by their commonality of faith and values and their desire for a large family and many children. Their bond was cemented through their mutual deep love of their children to whom they devoted their lives. They married on December 20, 1969; George died just shy of their 48th anniversary.
George is survived by his loving wife MaryAnn Christensen Eyde, his six children – Evemarie, George Matthew (fiancée Melissa Morelli), Sarah, Nathaniel (Jessica), Nancy and Nicholas (Gaia) – and his six grandchildren – Asa, Jane, Christensen, Evan, George and Mary Ann. In addition, George is survived by his brother and partner Lou (Marty), his sisters Kay Palinski and Mary Ann Daly, and his brothers Mike and Sam (Judy). His beloved younger brother Pat preceded him in death in 1992.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 5th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, followed by the Rosary at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 6th at 11:00 AM with visitation at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas. Memorial contributions may be made in George’s honor to his three favorite charities: Tri-County Office on Aging, Greater Lansing Food Bank and St. Vincent Catholic Charities.
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. Online condolences may be expressed at www.greastlansing.com.
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