1933
George
2009
George Fairbanks
July 29, 1933 — May 26, 2009
George Allen “Joe Bush” Fairbanks, Sr., 75, Ponsford, MN died Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. A Traditional Service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, May 30 at the Pine Point (MN) New School Gymnasium with Mike Swan and Dr. Carson Gardner officiating. Interment will be at the George Fairbanks, Sr. residence. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM Thursday, May 28 until the time of the service on Saturday at the Pine Point New School Gymnasium.
George Allen “Joe Bush” Fairbanks, Sr., “Mishkow-Binise” (Strong Thunderbird), was born July 29, 1933 in White Earth, MN to Willis and Hattie (De Jorden) Fairbanks. He was raised in Pine Point, MN and attended the Pine Point School and the Park Rapids area High School. In 1951, George joined the Navy for six years, serving in Korea. He was honorably discharged with many, many various medals received during his tour of duty for his country. He was also a certified electrician and had attended culinary school in the Twin Cities. From 1968 to 1972, George was a cook supervisor at the Job Corps Center in Rochert, MN. He also served as a Tribal Council Member in the 1970’s. George called himself a “jack of all trades”. He married Emily (Brown) Fairbanks in June of 1961 in Park Rapids, MN. They had four children and later divorced through Indian custom. George was of the “Odag” (Crow) Clan and became a Spiritual Advisor to the White Earth Nation with his second wife (Margaret Norcross) by his side. They traveled around the world going to Pow-wows and helping his People as much as he possibly could. He was well known by his People nation-wide. George married Margaret Norcross in 1972 at Ponsford. He had spent the last 35 years with his adopted family, six step-children, three adopted sons and 31 great-grandchildren.
George’s hobbies included visiting with friends and relatives and whoever wanted to visit. He also enjoyed traveling to pow-wows, telling stories of his life, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, watching boxing and helping anyone who needed his advice.
George will be sadly missed by his first wife, Emily (Brown) Fairbanks of Osage, MN; his children, Delmas (Alvina) Fairbanks, George (Barb) Fairbanks, Jr., Bonnie Jo (Leroy) Fairbanks, Rhonda, Myron, Vincent, Joycelyn (Louie), Greg and Lorene (Terry) Norcross, all of Ponsford; special granddaughters, Charlene, Kayla, Cheyenne, Nikki and Michaelene Norcross, Trista Fairbanks, Cassandra Person, Leah Bloom, McKenzie and Lucy Fairbanks; adopted sons, Reginald Meeks, Tom Peirce of Kentucky, Bob Peasley of Little Canada, MN, and Mike Dahl of Nay-Tah-Waush, MN; special grandsons, Dennis, Travis and Tony Norcross, Anthony and Brandon Bloom, Craig Jackson, Jr.; 22 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; George’s namesake, Aaron “Mishkow-Binise” (Strong Thunderbird) Norcross; goddaughter, Melissa Clark; special nieces, Janice Lindstrom, Ravone Vizenor and Renee Lampi, all of St. Paul, MN; nephew, Rodney Vizenor of Minneapolis. George was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Hattie Fairbanks; sister, Bernice; two brothers, Delven and Raymond; son, David Fairbanks; his grandparents, Anna and Bill Bassett; his wife of 32 years, Margaret Norcross; special granddaughter, Carol Peake; great-grandson, Sheldon Peake Bluebird.
Honorary Pall Bearers will be, Porgi Auginaush, Fred Urich, Roy Lindstrom, Robert Durant, Ron Kingbird, the White Earth Honor Guard, the White Earth Tribal Council, and all of George’s family and friends (the Fairbanks and Norcross families). Pall Bearers will be, Terry Peake, Leroy Basswood, Guy Lidstad, Butch and Gerald Roberts, Louie Warren, Craig Jackson, Jr., and Brandon Bloom.
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