George Elmer Ferge, AKA Unko George age 79 of Kaneohe, Hawaii passed away in his home on June 12, 2022. George was born on July 31, 1942 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Roy William and Martha Naukana Ferge. George is predeceased by his father, Roy William, mother, Martha, and his only brother Roy.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Rosemarie and children Toni (Steven) Haraguchi, Trevor (Sarah) Ferge, Tyler (Chanda) Ferge, and Tait (Ilikea) Ferge. He also leaves behind his nine grandchildren Candice, George, Jason, Levi, Seth, Nova, Gwen, Willow and Ezra.

George lived in various areas of Oahu as a child and around 9 years old, his family moved to Aliamanu. It was there he met many of his lifelong friends. Shorty, Clifford, “Brudda Rat”, David, Frank, Bobby, Gerald & Gary were members of his tribe, and they were known as the “Aliamanu Boys”.

George was dubbed “the German Scientist” by his friends because he was always inventing things that nobody had ever heard of. Whatever he learned or created, he did on his own.

George attended the (at the time) “brand-new” Radford High School and his was the first graduating class. Melveen Leed was a classmate and Bette Midler attended just a year or two behind.

George was a hard worker and found jobs wherever and whenever he could. He had a newspaper route in the Aliamanu/Pearl Harbor area for many years.

George also worked at Dole Cannery during the summers of his high school years. He would always talk about drinking fresh ice cold pineapple juice from the drinking fountains in the cannery.

After graduating High School, George attended Leeward Community College and studied architecture and drafting.

He worked at CS Wo for a time with his cousin Nathan Brown building furniture. He also worked as a carpenter/construction worker on different hotels and restaurants in Honolulu.

George served his country in uniform during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1966.

After being drafted he went to the 544th Medical Detachment located at Fort Lewis, Washington State. Only a week later he was sent on to pass the 6th Army NCO Academy Course.

George was sent on to Vietnam with the 544th Medical Detachment and was soon transferred to another Army detachment, in which he went on to establish Medical Detachments from Saigon to Natrang to Quinyong. He provided perimeter defense and protection for the medical hospital.

He also was known to ride shotgun on the helicopters that picked up wounded soldiers and transported critical medical supplies.

After George came home from the war, he wed his first wife and they had a daughter together, Toni Mahinaku Ferge.

After his brief 1st marriage George found the love of his life, Rosemarie. George worked for the Department of Defense and retired after working for thirty-eight years.

George and Rose both worked on Hickam AFB as civilian employees. George worked at the MAC Terminal and Rose, the motor pool. George would drive the staircase out to the aircraft for the passengers to disembark and he would also drive the tug out to gather the bags on the aircraft. Rosie worked as a base taxi driver and would go to the terminal frequently for lunch. George spotted her from across the crowded terminal and said to himself, “I’m going to marry that girl”. His co-worker, Edna, made the introduction.

When Rose finally agreed to meet that crazy Hawaiian George, guess what they did? George took her for a ride on his dirt bike of course!

George and Rose had three sons together: Trevor Keoki Naukana, Tyler Hekili Naukana, and Tait Lokahi Naukana.

When the boys were all in elementary school George developed nasopharyngeal cancer due to exposure from Agent Orange from Vietnam and the cure almost killed him, but he survived and during his treatments made a pact with God. “If you let me live, I will bring my sons to know you” was his promise. Both God and George made good on the deal. George went on to live an additional 22 years after battling a cancer that most do not survive and all three of his sons are an integral part of Anchor Church.

George lived up to his nickname, “The German Scientist” when building hot rods. He loved to modify everything and had many innovative ideas to get the job done. He built a monster truck, “Get a Grip” and rode it in the mud bog at the stadium. As his family sat horrified in the stands, they witnessed his truck burst into a ball of fire. George jumped out into the mud unharmed and waved both hands in the air to the roar of the crowd. He was in his element.

George loved to ride his dirt bike and did it often with family and friends. From riding atop Mauna Kea with his son Tyler to another one of his great adventures, a trip to Baja, Mexico with his nephews, Troy and Tripp Ferge. He loved life and it showed.

George was a creative force of nature and could do ANYTHING he set his mind on. He was determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved, by taking on side jobs. His family kept him young, and meant more to him than anything else in the world.

George’s life challenges us to live fearlessly and adventurously, and to know God is good 247/365.

George’s celebration of life will be held the day before his 80th birthday on Saturday, July 30th starting at 10AM at:

Anchor Church, 45-815 Pookela St, Kaneohe, HI 96744

George will have full military honors and the burial will take place Monday, August 1st at 11AM at the:

Hawaii State Veterans Memorial Cemetery

45-349 Kamehameha Highway Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744

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