Ranks Grow Thinner
While the ranks are growing thinner, the memories will continue while friends and relatives remember the likes of George Clasen.
A boy who grew up in Washington County during the Depression, George went away to KU and graduated in journalism. That was back in the days when "Daddy" Flint became legendary as a professor in the old Shack. Today a better building bears his name.
George enlisted, that's right voluntarily enlisted, in the Army and served more than three years in the service of our country.
After the war, he and Margaret eventually moved to Florence where they owned the Bulletin. They raised two boys, Dick and David, and became stalwart members of the community. George was an integral part of every community endeavor and could be counted on as a willing worker not only for Florence but Marion County as well.
When the opportunity became available to purchase a half interest in the newspapers at Garnett, he regretfully left Marion County but never lost contact. He was an avid reader of this newspaper, and often commented on happenings (especially political) on the local scene.
When George, Bill Krause at Peabody, and the late Bud Bruce at Hillsboro were in their prime, your Ol' Editor often carried on good natured vendettas with each of them. While the issue of school consolidation was hottest, George disagreed with the Marion writer's stand in favor of Florence becoming part of the Marion district. He wrote: "Those in agreement with Bill Meyer will hold a meeting in the phone booth in front of Town and Country Café."
A pillar in the community at Garnett, he was a working member of nearly every worthy organization. His death last week caused many to realize what they'd lost.
Perhaps the thing that most of all describes him to this writer was his droll humor. He was a master at one-liners. His humor was unequaled. When Kansas editors would meet for conventions, at the past president's luncheon, George was the leader with quick quips and clever one liners.
We will miss him, but not forget.
— BILL MEYER
