Arrangements have been made for George Overton's Memorial Service and Celebration of Life set for Sunday Jan 31st. The Memorial Sunday 2:30pm United Methodist Church Grove, OK Celebration of Life to follow at the Shangri-La Estates Clubroom across from the Pro Shop and Shangri-La Realty on Hwy 125 Monkey Island, OK

What can you say when a man of George Overton's caliber leaves this world? Thank you comes to mind but is hardly enough. First my heart and prayers go out the incredible Mary Frances Overton. I know yours do as well. Mary of course walked the walk with George all the way to the finish line and no one can deny what a formidable advocate she is! I can see George smiling at her now as I did so often at functions on the Island. God bless and keep you Mary. George, well, George opened doors and created much of the Monkey Island and Grand Lake experience we know and love. He had told me he would share some of his favorite stories with me as I plan to document some of the history of Monkey Island before it is too late. Need I say much has been lost with the passing of this incredible man. I will miss his soliloqui at the annual Kroak-Off, his generous way as a master of ceremony and his company around the Island. People I know who worked with George in Vinita say his death leaves a huge vacumn and the next will have huge shoes to fill.

I, however, am not nearly as eloquent as George's long time friend Mike Williams who I know will forgive me for quoting him. So here goes..... "We lost one of the greatest Grand Lakers of all time this week when my pal George Overton died peacefully at his home at the age of 83. Those of us who have benefited from Grand Lake's special atmosphere and strong economy over the past few decades should take a moment of remembrance to toast George the Great. As General Manager of Shangri-La Resort in its heyday, he led the efforts that made Charles Davis' dream resort into a national destination. Almost every Grand Lake resident - full- time or part-time - can think back to what brought them to the lake as a boat-owner or property owner, or both. "I remember when I came to Shangri-La for a convention," they say. Or, "I remember when my parents brought me to Shangri-La for a vacation." One visit to that showplace of fun and entertainment - and they were hooked on Grand Lake. George Overton put together the crew, the facility, and the services that made those who paid one visit return time and again. Many of us ultimately relocated here, never realizing who paved the way. To a greater extent than any of us can imagine...George Overton paved the way. The traffic attracted by Shangri-La Resort under his leadership made all the rest of the Grand Lake development possible. True to form, George worked full-time until two weeks before his death, taking care of logistics, planning and coordination of the project that resulted in the new Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita - and 200 jobs with yet another tremendous economic impact on our area. I can picture him back at work today: "Listen, St. Peter. Have you ever thought about building a......" Will Rogers said he never met a man he didn't like. George Overton went a step further in his incredible life. He never met a man who didn't like him! I never met anyone else like him. And what a legacy he left us all! God rest your wonderful soul, George. I'll never be blessed enough to meet another man like you." I certainly could not express it any better. Thank you Mike.

These are a few highlights of George's long and illustrious life as reported in the Tulsa World. George Overton, a former resort manager who also oversaw construction of the Oklahoma Forensic Center, died peacefully at his home Sunday, his wife said. He was 82. Overton, who lived on Monkey Island at Grand Lake, in recent years was director of operations at the Oklahoma Forensic Center, a state-run psychiatric hospital in Vinita, his wife, Mary Francis Overton, said. He coordinated the construction of a $25 million, 200- bed institution and a nearby alcohol and drug treatment center. He managed Shangri-La Resort for a total of 15 years starting in 1968, later managing corporate hotels in more than a dozen states, as well as Aruba and Cayman Islands, and co-owned or managed hotels in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Overton's wife said. He was vice president of the World Council of Sheraton Hotels. Overton was an announcer for radio station KTUL in Tulsa while a University of Tulsa student. He later co- owned Muskogee radio station KMUS. In 1958, Overton was named manager of the new Western Hills Lodge at Fort Gibson Lake near Wagoner. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at First United Methodist Church in Grove. A celebration of life will follow on Monkey Island.

Please come to the Memorial. Join Mary Overton, family and friends as we celebrate the life of George Overton. A grand fellow who's life helped make this a grand place to live, work and play. See you there.

Monkey Island Association

c/o American Folk Art Furniture Studio | 29901 S. 566 Road

Monkey Island | OK | 74331