of Little Rock, AR

March 25, 1920 - November 14, 2022

George Dalton Mobbs, Col USAF (Ret), 102, of Little Rock passed away November 14, 2022. He was born March 25, 1920 in Wooster, Arkansas, the youngest child of George and Ola Salter Mobbs.

George is survived by his wife, Gwendolyn Duke (Bartels) Mobbs; sons, Ken (Paulette), Mark (Janet); step-daughter, Jan Saunders (Neil); son-in-law, Steve Caver; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren; niece, Martha and nephew, Melvin. He is preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Juanita (Nita) Patton, to whom he is very grateful for her sacrifices as a "military wife", who shouldered the responsibility of parenting during his frequent absences while serving in the Philippines, Okinawa and Viet Nam. George is also preceded in death by son, George Jr.; brothers, Farris (Floy), Otis (Zema) and sister, Gladys. Growing up during the depression all of the family worked at the family-owned cotton gin, sawmill, sorghum mill and grist mill.

George took flight training with Starnes Flying Service of Conway in 1940 and joined the Army Air Corps as a Flying Cadet on February 13, 1941. Receiving his wings and 2nd LT Bars in September, he was assigned to the 8th Pursuit Group, located on Long Island, New York. During the next nine months he flew P-39's, P-40's, P-36's, P-43's and P-47's. On July 1, 1942, he and his assigned P-40 were hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier Ranger. They sailed from Quonset Point, Rhode Island, zig zagging across the Atlantic. He and his group (57th Fighter Group) took off of the carrier and landed at Lagos on the Gold Coast of Africa. They then flew across Africa to Egypt and on to Palestine. After returning to Egypt the group, under operational control of the RAF, commenced flying, counter air, bomber escort, dive bombing and ground strafing missions against the German Afrika Corp. Returning to the USA in August 1943, George commanded the 14th Fighter Squadron and was Director of Operations and training for two squadrons, training pilots for overseas deployment. George retired from the Air Force after serving 26 years. Some of the medals he received were the Purple Heart, the Air Medal (with 7 oakleaf clusters), the Distinguished Flying Cross (with one oakleaf cluster), the Distinguished Flying Cross from the Royal Air Force, as well as several campaign theater ribbons.

On June 20, 1944, George married Juanita (Nita) Patton, a lovely woman he had been introduced to while on leave. During their 45-year marriage, they were blessed with three sons as they moved throughout the United States while George was serving in the Air Force. George had a deep love and concern for all aspects of George, Jr., Ken and Mark's lives before reaching adulthood, as well as their choices of careers, particularly for their happiness. That love extended to his son-in-law, two daughters-in-law and their children.

George obtained a degree in business from the University of Arkansas with a major in accounting. After retiring from the Air Force, he obtained a Certificate of CPA and was in business for himself for a number of years. When he and Nita decided to retired, they chose to go to Parkway Village, where his brother and sister had selected. Having a hard time retiring, George kept up with his continuing education and income tax changes for another 20 years. Nita went to be with the Lord in 1989 leaving a great void for George and the boys. Surrounded by his Parkway Village friends, family, his love for golf and the Razorbacks, George continued to stay busy. In 1990, George married Gwen Duke-Bartels, who had also retired at Parkway Village, they shared the love of church, golf, village activities, Razorbacks and the joys and goals of their children and grandchildren.

George was known as a man that exemplified integrity, he was faithful to his word, dependable, expecting the best of everyone, an optimist as well as having a good sense of humor. His faith in Christ was a quiet one, one he did not easily talk about, but he felt deeply about as a believer, with a desire that each of his children would also. George was a member of the Indian Hills and First Methodist Church in North Little Rock, serving on various committees and the Administrative Board. Since 1985, he has been a member of the Highland Valley United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 21, 2022 at 10:30 am in the Chapel of Roller Chenal Funeral Home, a Celebration of George's Life will follow at 11:30 am.

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