Dr. George Anthony Lakes of Oxnard, California passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 19, 2018 after a long illness.
George was born April 13, 1928 in Hibbing, Minnesota to George and Kathleen (Lang) Lakes and grew up in nearby Virginia, Minnesota. George participated in Golden Gloves of America boxing tournaments in the Hibbing region during his teen years where he proved to be a fierce competitor, winning several bouts in the Welterweight division. After graduating from high school, George served in the U.S.
Navy from 1946 through 1948, initially on a destroyer escort in the South Pacific and later with the Navy Linguistics Graduate Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California.
Following his tour in the Navy, George attended the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a
bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry. While there, George met the love of his life, Arline Franks. They were married on February 21st of 1952.
George went on to earn his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Minnesota, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1956, at which point he secured a position with the California State Bureau of Poultry Inspection. Pulling a U-Haul trailer behind their 1949
Packard, George, Arline, their daughter Kathy and son George, made the trip from St. Paul, Minnesota to Oxnard, California in July of 1956. They were blessed with two more children, Bob and Ron, who were born in Oxnard in 1957 and 1958 respectively. Dr. Lakes
subsequently joined Mackey Animal Hospital in 1958. In May of 1961, George opened the Lakes’ Pet Clinic on Saviors Road in Oxnard. During the next several decades, “Doc” met with thousands of clients and saw to the medical needs of their pets while also keeping up-todate
on the latest in veterinarian medicine through his membership in the California and American Veterinary Associations.
Throughout his life, George cared for others, both people and animals. George was a parishioner of Santa Clara Church; was active in the Bereavement Ministry and belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council 750. Outside of work and faith, George had many interests.
Fascinated with the advent of home computing, he joined the Channel Islands Personal Computer User’s Group,
even acting as President for a term. Even more compelling to George was his appreciation of music,
particularly organ music. He served as President of the State Theater Organ Society and was an ebullient
member of the National Theater Organ Society as well as several other organ clubs.
In addition, George's true hobbyist passion was the steam locomotive where he could flex his amateur machinist muscle using the extensive tools he had collected throughout the years, creating scale steam locomotives and rolling stock. George was a member of the Goleta Valley Live Steam Club and the Los Angeles Live Steamers. These varied interests often led to travel which satisfied his love of cross country journeys, touring the United States by car with Arline, allowing them to visit their many friends and family along the way while collecting
cherished memories.
George will be forever and lovingly remembered by Arline, his wife of 66 years; daughter, Kathleen (Tom) Friel and granddaughter Amanda Friel of Camarillo, CA; son, George Lakes III of Oxnard, CA; son, Robert (Alexis) Lakes of San Jose, CA and grandson Steven Lakes of San Diego, CA; and son Ronald (Consuelo) Lakes and granddaughter Daniela Lakes of Chalfont, PA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, May 11, 2018 in Santa Clara Catholic Church, 323 South E Street, Oxnard. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1528 Chapala Street, #204, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or the Assisted Home Health &
Hospice Foundation, 72 Moody Court, Suite 100, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.