George Marion Mies

Jul 1, 1941 -

Oct 3, 2023

George M. Mies passed away in Anchorage, Alaska, on Oct. 3, 2023, at exactly 4:20 p.m. His children think the time was intentional … a little laughter to break up their tears.

While no one is totally sure, it's suspected that when Donna and George Mies greeted their first child in Ohio on July 1, 1941, he was already swinging or throwing or putting. The consummate athlete, "Muggs'' excelled in high school sports in Arizona where the family had relocated. Football, basketball, baseball - he did it all, but it was baseball that made him a star. Long, lean and nimble, George could fire a ball across home plate. This ability earned him a scholarship to the University of Arizona, where he may still hold a record for 19 strikeouts in one game. The Fairbanks Goldpanners were lucky when George agreed to become their very first pitcher in 1960. George's pitching records held strong until 1996, and in 2008 he was asked to throw the first pitch at the Goldpanners Midnight Sun game.

He married his first wife, Susan Wood, in March 1965. They welcomed daughter, Erika, in 1969, who he nicknamed Sarah Heartburn from the Phoebe Snow song "No Show Tonight." He instilled his love of music into Erika, gifting her first album to her when she was 4 years old and her love of music continues in his honor.

After baseball, George worked as a surveyor in Fairbanks, ultimately becoming a commercial appraiser in Anchorage. His reputation as a good appraiser and an honest one was shared by all members of his profession. George was one of those lucky people that loved his work. He made his last property inspection in September 2023.

The man was a prodigious reader; you either got lucky and were on George's Trivial Pursuit team or figured out a way to go home early. He was an avid traveler. On a trip to Germany he visited the small village of Arnbruck where his ancestors lived. He was able to tour the church where his great-grandparents were married. Odds are he didn't attend any services. Mostly, his motto was "have clubs will travel." He got rained on and made bogies in both Ireland and Scotland - maybe even a birdie or two.

He loved to brag about how far his son, Geoff, could hit a drive … in the next breath he'd finish his sentence with, "but he never beats his father." Bad short game or a long drive in the wrong direction, he never told. Under his breath, he would mention how far his daughter, Regan, could throw her clubs. His love, pride and joy for his children and grandchild will live on forever.

George had a long held secret, but what are obituaries for if not to tell it all. He answered to George and he answered to Muggs but never told anyone his middle name was Marion. What an opportunity lost.

George is survived by his three much-loved children, Erika, Regan and Geoff; granddaughter, Elan, who always managed to wrap her "PaPa" around her little finger; three siblings, Rose, Tom and Jon; and dear friend and ex-wife, Kathy McArthur. He also leaves a lot of heartbroken friends. They include his work colleagues at Black-Smith, Bethard and Carlson, and the members of his Wolfpack Golf League; longtime friend, Linda Duck; and lovely ex-partner, Eleanor Andrews. No matter what the connection to George, all agree, he was like a croissant, crusty on the outside, butter on the inside.

There will be a celebration of life on Oct. 20, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at O'Malley's on the Green. Bring your George stories.