George L. "Geody" Mechem

George “Geody” Mechem, 81, of Clarion passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center.

Memorial services for Geody Mechem will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at First United Methodist Church, 201 3rd Avenue North East in Clarion with Pastor Don Morrison officiating.  Burial will be private.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

George "Geody" Mechem was born on a farm southeast of Clarion, Iowa on December 15th, 1932 to Lewis and Vernice (Allen) Mechem. He was one of eight children and always proud of his large family.

He attended the Clarion public schools and graduated in May of 1951. While in school he participated and enjoyed all the sports programs and his favorites were football and track.

As a youngster growing up, he and his brothers and sisters enjoyed the luxury of having two ponies to ride and pull a two-wheeled cart. Geody often made his spending money by hauling peoples’ trash and junk to the city dump which at that time was on the west edge of town.

He also spent much of his time during the summers at the Clarion swimming pool, hanging out with friends and spending time with Roger Groves, the pool manager and head coach of football, basketball and track for both junior high and high school programs. He had a great bond with Coach Groves and often commented that while growing up he spent more time with Coach Groves than with his own parents. In football, he played left halfback, called the plays and kicked extra points.

Following high school he was employed at Cavanaugh Rexal Drug. From 1963 to 1994, Geody worked at Brenton Bank, serving as the bank President for 17 years.

He enjoyed being involved in community activities and was an active member of the Clarion Jaycees, Lions Club, Clarion Recreation Board, the Chamber of Commerce, Development Commission, Clarmond Country Club and the First United Methodist Church, serving as board member and President of each group at least once.

While working for the Brentons, he attended numerous banking schools and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, WI.

After leaving the bank in 1994 he continued to be active in the community by serving on committees for the Development Commission and working in real estate sales.

He loved to play golf and once placed as high as 5th in the club tournament. Another golf event he thoroughly enjoyed was the Memorial Day weekend match play tournament in Albert Lea, Minnesota, one year winning first place in the 1st flight. In later years he enjoyed playing on the Over 50's tour in North Central Iowa.

Geody was married to his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Adams, in 1950 and was the proud parent of two children, Trudy and Larry.

Geody is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughter Trudy and husband Joe O'Cleary of Longmont, Colorado, son Larry of Folsom, California 3 grandchildren, Evin O'Cleary, Nicole Mechem and Brian Mechem, 3 brothers, Allen, John and Paul, and 3 sisters, Meri Carlson, Marge Stofferan and Ruth Bair and many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Geody was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, David, and his daughter-in-law Liz.