George served as Dean of the School of Fine Arts, Eastern Washington University, 1960-83. From 1937 to 2000 he was a professional conductor, trombonist, composer, adjudicator and lecturer. He is particularly proud of enlisting as a seaman (musician) in the U.S. Navy during World War II and rising to the rank of Rear Admiral before retiring in 1982. To his knowledge, he is the only Navy flag officer born and reared in Spokane.