The year George's mother came to teach at Corbett High, the school burned down. It was 1922 and the high school had to move to the Grange Hall for a year. George's father worked at Menucha as the manager/caretaker/gardener of the estate. George and Joy Perry marrried Dec. 25, 1925 after meeting at Corbett Christian Church. George was their first born son and the
sixth George in line, with another brother to follow three years later. George's brother was handicapped and passed at age 10. George was practically raised at Menucha, the retreat and conference center located on the Scenic Hwy. Julius Meier purchased the land in 1914 and built a spectacular log home on the site. By the mid 1920's the place had been invaded with carpenter ants and had to be destrayed. The current estate was then built. George's family was then living in what is now the building where the offices are located. Julius had a "strong" Jewish mother who named the estate Menucha. When she passed, both daughters of Julius renamed the summer home for the family "Men-u-shay" as it was known for decades until the family sold in 1950. George remembers growing up with "a foot in two different worlds" as he spent time with Julius Meier, governor of Oregon from 1930-1934 and all his guests, including President Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover. George's parents eventually purchased a home on Chamberlain Road where he and wife Virginia raised their six children and still live today, living in a newer home on the land while his son, George the
seventh and family live in the original home. George graduated from Corbett High in 1946, graduated from Univ. of Oregon in 1950, and then went on to get his master's degree at UO as well. George was a teacher, like his mother. He taught at Gresham High from 1952-1983, teaching math and science. Today George and Virginia have six grandchildren and love living on the southern most point of the Columbia River, seeing all the way from the 205 Bridge to Multnomah Falls! On occassion, George is asked to come to the Vista House to speak to folks from literally all over the world about the Corbett area giving history facts as well. Retired from teaching, but only at the school.
