Funeral services for George D. Grace, Jr., 91 year-old longtime Buffalo resident, who passed away in Casper, WY on August 28th, will be held at 10 AM, Friday, September 2, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Buffalo, with Fr. Doug Wasinger officiating. Visitation will be held from the Harness Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery following the funeral service with the American Legion and VFW in charge of Military Graveside Rites. A reception will be held, following the graveside service, at the church. Donations in Mr. Grace's memory may be made to The Bread of Life Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

George Daniel Grace, Jr. was born on January 12, 1925 to Daniel and Sylvia Grace in Sheridan, WY. He attended school in Sheridan and, after graduation from Sheridan High School in 1943, he enrolled at the University of Wyoming. Mr. Grace suspended his studies at the University to enlist in the United States Army Air Corp in World War II, where he piloted B-17 bombers as a nineteen year-old in the European theatre. He arrived in Italy on March 21, 1945 and flew eleven missions before Germans surrendered on May 7. He was honorably discharged on Sept. 24, 1945.

After the war, he returned to UW, where he was a member of Bowden Wyatt's famed Cowboy football teams in 1947 and 1948. Upon graduating from UW, he joined the teaching and coaching staff at Johnson County High School. He was the "heart and soul" of Buffalo Football for the next seventeen seasons.

George married Virgie Rizzi on May 25, 1953, and they had two sons, Dan and Joel. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on May 25 of this year.

George received his Masters of Education degree in 1962 and moved from the classroom to the principal's office, serving as Buffalo High School's principal until his retirement in 1986. Noted for his tough, but fair, leadership, he was responsible for making Buffalo High School one of the premier learning institutions in the state. His devotion to both education and activities created the healthy balance that Buffalo High School still enjoys today. The young educators he influenced and tutored have spread his influence throughout the state and around the country.

George is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virgie Grace of Buffalo; two sons, Dan Grace and Elaine of Moorcroft and Joel Grace and Stephanie of Highlands Ranch, CO; one sister Beverly Todd of Arizona; one brother Don of Sheridan, WY; grandchildren Wayne, Melanie, David, Jordan, and Matthew, as well as his great granddaughters, Anatefka and Jayanah. He is also survived by a great host of Buffalo Bison, as well as many, many friends in Buffalo and around the state. He was truly a great man in every sense of the word and will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

George was preceded in death by his parents, three of his sisters, Georgia Dooley, Eunice Sanders, and Betty Juett.