George H. Garbutt

George H. Garbutt, 98, longtime Seminole, Oklahoma resident, passed from this life on Monday, September 25, 2023 at Avonlea Cottage in Seminole. He was born on May 27, 1925 in Buffalo, New York to Ada K. (Klassen) Garbutt and George Henry Garbutt, Sr.

George was a WWII veteran and served his country in the United States Army. He was a member of the 99th Infantry Division, 395th Regiment and 2nd Battalion HHC. He served in action in Germany and saw fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, Ramagen, Rhineland and Ruhr Pocket. After the war he served one year in Germany with the occupation forces. Like many war heroes, George talked very little of his war experience, saying “The heroes were the ones who didn’t come home”.

George returned home from the war and met his lifelong love, Patricia Ruth Atha while they were in college at the University of Oklahoma. They were married December 23, 1948 in Norman, Oklahoma. After graduation they moved to Hobbs, New Mexico where they welcomed their first son, Ron in 1951. The family moved to Seminole in 1953 where Patrick was born the same year. They raised their sons in Seminole.

George graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in geological engineering. After working in the petroleum industry for many years, he returned to the University of Oklahoma getting a Master’s degree in environmental engineering. He also had a Professional Engineer’s license. With his new career he moved to Ft. Worth, Texas and later to Alaska where he worked as a quality control officer with the Alaska Pipeline Company. George and Pat returned to Seminole in 1977, where they were self-employed with their sons in the oil industry. George served the City of Seminole as a Councilman and attended the Methodist and Presbyterian churches and in their later years First Baptist Church.

George is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law; Ronald and Becki Garbutt and Patrick and Paula Garbutt all of Seminole, Oklahoma, grandchildren; Bart Garbutt (Kimberly) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Bonnie Garbutt of Franklin, Tennessee, Elizabeth Atyia (Nick) of Seminole, Oklahoma, Michael Garbutt (Cristen) of Shawnee, Oklahoma and Julia Byrum (J.D.) of Bentonville, Arkansas, great-grandchildren; Reid, Gabriel, Easton, Lula, Hudson, Brooks, Baylor, Harper, Judah and Evangeline, sister; Barbara Smith and brother; Jimmy Garbutt, both of New York and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Pat, and his sister June Lytle.

Funeral services for George will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 29, 2023 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma with Nick Atyia (Patrick’s son-in-law) officiating.  A private burial service will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole.

Casket bearers will be Bart Garbutt, Michael Garbutt, Nick Atyia, J.D. Byrum, Easton Atyia and Gabriel Atyia.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Seminole First Baptist Church at 420 Reid St., Seminole, OK 74868.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.