George Edward Plescher died July 4, 2003. He was 80.

He was born in Muskegon, Mich. on Feb. 19, 1923.

Plescher left high school to join the Navy in 1943. He was one of few survivors of the sinking of the USS Bismark Sea (CVE95) when it was hit by two Kamikaze aircraft during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945 — the very last carrier in US Naval history to be sunk. After his naval service, he graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture. He worked for the jurisdictions of Milwaukee, Wis., Muskegon, Mich., Great Falls, Mont., Pasco, Benton County, Puget Sound Governmental Conference, Seattle, Bremerton and Winslow.

In 1989 at the age of 66, Plescher joined the Peace Corps and went to Grenada in the West Indies. When his tour in the Peace Corps was up, he decided to make Grenada his home.

He was very active and could be seen walking or riding his bicycle all over the island.

Plescher is survived by his wife Florence Plescher; son David Plescher of Yorba Linda, Calif.; daughters Sheri (Jim) Blackwell of Seattle, Linda Plescher of Seattle, Lorraine Plescher of Hansville, Holly (Frank) Kinkade of Kingston; brother Don (Doris) Plescher of Belmont, Mich.; sisters Marjorie Heykoop of White Cloud, Mich., Joan (Ron) Linthicum of Aldie, Va. and sister-in-law Mildred Plescher of Rockford, Mich.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Remembrances may be made to the Heart Association or a favorite charity.