George Anton Turany, age 85, a longtime resident of LaPorte, TX passed away August 31, 2023. George & his wife, Lois, recently moved to Friendswood, TX to be closer to their children & grandchildren. George was born August 13, 1938, in Chippewa Falls, WI to John Francis Turany & Johanna Elizabeth (Goettl) Turany. George was of the Catholic faith. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy for 20 years. While in the Navy, George met the love of his life, Lois Elizabeth Toomey (also a Navy Veteran), and they were married on July 25, 1964 & remained so until his passing.

George served aboard aircraft carriers for much of his Naval career. George’s first assignment was to the U.S.S. Lexington (The Gray Lady), as an Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) for the Lexington’s recommission and subsequent service in the western Pacific during the cold war. George spoke fondly of the ship to his children, often referring to the Lexington as “His First Lady” in the Navy. George also served on the U.S.S. Enterprise (The Big E), U.S.S. Roosevelt, and the U.S.S. Ranger. George was among the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise during the “Pueblo Crisis” and served 11 tours during the Vietnam War.

George retired from the Navy in 1975. George and Lois moved the family to Florida, where George attended Troy University in Fort Walton Beach earning a Bachelor of Science in Business and a minor in Drafting. George moved the family to Houston, Texas in 1981.

George worked for the City of LaPorte in the Parks & Recreation department for over 25 years, where he helped expand the City of LaPorte’s park system by no less than threefold. As he was a licensed Arborist, he played an important role in having the city’s first ordinances on old growth tree conservation, among other accomplishments. After George retired from the city, The Parks Department had to divide his position into three additional departments. The city even retired his call number, #804.

George’s charitable contributions included donating over 50 gallons of blood over his lifetime and was on a special call list due to being born with a high level of coagulation factors in his blood (this helped many hemophiliacs and others with coagulating disorders.)

However, he found the most joy in the 40+ years of giving playing as a Santa Claus, George’s favorite way of giving back to his community. George initially started playing Santa with phone calls to the children of fellow sailors. George had a baritone voice (perfect as a Santa). Later, he played Santa for several different charities, seniors’ homes, and special needs adults and children.  He was The City of LaPorte’s Christmas Parade Official Santa for many years. He recruited many friends, family, and even a former secretary to play Santa’s helpers (including Lois as Mrs. Claus), bringing them with him to many hospitals, churches, schools, and to the homes of families, friends, and loved ones in the Greater LaPorte & the Greater Houston area.

George got himself a red pickup truck to arrive to events. As he explained to many bright-eyed Christmas-enthusiastic children, “In Texas, Santa gives the Reindeer a break for a little bit. So, that is why I use my Red Truck.” As luck would have it, he promised a 5-year-old snow one year and, yes, the wish was granted.

George is preceded in death by his parents: John & Johanna Turany, sister: Margarat(Turany) Goulet and her husband, Dale Goulet; sister: Mary (Turany) Tetrick; and brothers: Frank Turany and Joe Turany.

George Anton Turany is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lois E. Turany; daughter Marguerite Mary (Turany) Cooney and her husband Jim; daughter Kathleen Ann (Turany) Peters and her husband Mark; son Thomas Thaddeus Turany and his wife Heather (Jenks) Turany; grandchildren Mikayla Cooney, Arianna Cooney, Rebecca Peters, Samuel Peters, and Andrew (Turany) Jenks. He is also survived by his sisters: Ceil (Turany) Nelson and Barbara (Turany) Weber; his brothers: Maynard (wife Marge) Turany, Ron (wife Pat) Turany, John (wife Judy) Turany, and (Joe’s wife) Evelyn Turany, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 2:00p.m. in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland.

Family requests that in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Wounded Warriors Project in his name, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/

For those who want to join in on the service but can not attend, please click the link below at time of service.