George Wayne McAtee

George Wayne McAtee, 75, resident of St. Paul, KS, passed away on November 20, 2022 after a short illness.

George was born on August 17, 1947 in Parsons, KS to G.W. “Short” and Eileen (Volmer) McAtee. He is survived by his daughter Ellen Canfield and her son Cooper from his marriage to Deborah Counter at the Assumption Catholic Church in Topeka in 1974. His parents and sister Mary Ann preceded him in death. The oldest of five, he is also survived by his sisters Marcia Smith of Lawrence, Janet Shaw of rural Erie, as well his brother Dale McAtee of Cupertino, CA. He had 3 nephews, Ted, Chris and Greg Smith and nieces Deidra Smith (deceased) and Bailey Shaw.

He was a proud member of the St. Paul High School Class of 1965. He graduated with a degree in biology from Pittsburg State University in 1970.

For over 40 years he worked for the State of Kansas in Topeka, first for the Governor’s Office, then the Kansas Department of Human Resources before retiring from the Kansas Department of Commerce. George took great pride in the work he did – ensuring that those in need of jobs got the training and help required to succeed, as well as ensuring the programs that provided the help were able to get grants and funding to continue. He was a state liaison and consultant for countless programs providing assistance, whether for youths in need, servicemen and families affected by base closures, or farmers requiring assistance after the floods of 1993 to name just a few.

After retirement he returned to St. Paul and continued to help out. A voracious reader all of his life, he gave back by helping with the Graves Memorial Library in various capacities.

Christmas was something he enjoyed all year around. A natural storyteller, for years he enriched the lives of many with his portrayal of the big guy from the North Pole. His common hello was the phrase – HoHoHo!

He appreciated folk music in its many incarnations. At times he felt he was a bit too much country for the city, later he wondered if he was a bit too much city for the country. Regardless, he always appreciated the friendships and the kind actions of whichever community he was a part of.

I will cherish all the friendship I was fortunate to find, all the love and all the laughter in the place I leave behind. All these good things will go with me. They will make my spirit glow. And that light will shine forever in the next place that I go. – Warren Hanson

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 28, at St. Francis Catholic Church in St. Paul. Burial will follow in the St. Francis Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m., Monday, at the church.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home in St. Paul. Memorials are suggested to the Graves Memorial Library at St. Paul. They may be left at or sent to the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at P. O. Box 272, St. Paul, KS 66771. Online messages may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.

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