George Thomas Zeigler

George Thomas Zeigler, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Sunday, September 21, 2014 in Mesa, AZ. He was born Dec. 6, 1917 in Hays, KS where he lived until he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. As a bomber pilot, he flew 30 missions during WWII, earning many military medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. His active duty as a pilot ended on November 6, 1944 when he was injured during a practice flight over England. George graduated from Montana State University in June 1948 with a B.S. in Forestry. He briefly worked for the U.S. Forest Service before being recalled to U.S. Air Force active duty in August 1948. He retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Colonel on June, 30, 1964. He married Sonja Claire Anderson on May 31, 1949. The couple moved frequently with the Air Force before settling in Tempe, AZ where they lived until Sonja passed away on March 30, 1965. He began a second career in September 1964 with the Arizona Department of Economic Security and retired in 1980. He married Delsa Hermansen on August 13, 1966 and the couple settled in Glendale, AZ. Delsa passed away on Jan. 10, 2001. George was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and diligently served in many callings throughout his life. He is survived by his three sons, George Jr. (Kyle), Steven, and Jon, Delsa’s daughter, Sue Corbin, 15 of 17 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at the LDS Church, 5033 N. 38th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. with Visitation being held from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and Service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements by Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary, 719 N. 27th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ. Please visit www.greenwoodmemorylawn.com to leave his family online condolence messages.