George Effinger Mohler of Brownsburg, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA.

He was just four days shy of his 86th birthday.

He was born at Fruit Hill in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on May 26, 1926.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Plynn and Mary Katherine Mohler.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Betty Jean Wade Mohler; two sisters, Helen Snider and Lucille Brown, and a brother, William N. (Bub) Mohler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

George graduated from Natural Bridge High School in 1944 and was immediately called into the army and soon found himself fighting in several Pacific Theater campaigns in World War II.

After his discharge from the military, he attended William and Mary College.

In his early years he worked as a farm machinery mechanic, servicing large farm equipment in the field. He also served as a corrections officer for Virginia for a short time.

His long term occupation was as Washington and Lee University physics and chemistry technician, from which he retired in May of 1991.

His love of aviation extended back to when he built model balsa wood planes as a child. In 1965 he got a private pilot's license and later got a commercial license so that he could pull gliders.

He was affiliated with L. B. Gliderport from 1969-1980. When he stopped flying regular aircraft, he got involved in radio-controlled aircraft which he built. He had many other interests including photography and astronomy.

He was an Elder Emeritis of Bethesda Presbyterian Church and also taught a Sunday School class at McElwee Chapel for many years.

With all of his interests and involvements, he will most likely be remembered for his ability to make people smile or even laugh. The rest of the family wants to express their heartfelt thanks to Kim Heslep, the niece who George once referred to as "like the daughter I never had". Her care and devotion was untiring.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 25, 2012 at McElwee Chapel with the Rev. Bernard Bangley officiating. Burial will follow at McElwee Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 24, 2012 at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, VA.