George T. Locke, 89, of Rapid City, died on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Clarkson Health Care.

George Theodore Locke was born on September 19, 1926 in Topeka, KS, to George Aubrey and Clara E. (Boehmer) Locke. He grew up in Topeka and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1944. He was accepted in the Navy's V-5 Program until that was looking for educated pilots. That program was later abolished and the switched to the Deck Officer's V-12 Progam. During his training, George attended Milsaps College in Jackson, MS and the Univ. of South Carolina 1944-46.

After his Navy service, George attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence from 1946-1949. He attained a B. S. in Mechanical Engineering and was active in the ROTC Program. After graduation, he began employment with the U. S. Geological Survey. In October of 1951, he returned to the service in the Navy as an officer and was assigned "Secret" status in 1952. He served 18 months aboard the cruiser USS Helena CA-75 in the Korean Theatre. He left the Navy service in September of 1953 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade.

On September 2, 1951, he was united in marriage to Beverly Joan Emerson in Topeka, KS. To this union 3 children were born, Corby Joan, Clay Ashley and Scot David. After his second Navy service, George returned to the U. S. Geological Survey until 1953. He then worked for the Kansas State Corporation Commission from 1955-59. In October of 1959, the family moved to Rapid City, where he began work at Black Hills Power and Light, which later became Black Hills Corporation. During his time there, he served as Corporate Secretary, Treasurer and retired in 1989 as Senior Vice President of Finance.

George was a member of the American Legion, Sertoma Club and Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Society, where he was instrumental in raising money for the big 1990's expansion. He enjoyed golf and tennis at Arrowhead Country Club, where he served as president and as a board member.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Beverly, of Rapid City; a daughter, Corby Locke (Gary Shaffer) of Coeur d' Alene, ID; 2 sons, Clay Locke, of Rapid City and Scot (Patricia) Locke, of Englewood, CO; a brother, Don W. Locke, of Berryton, KS and 4 grandchildren, Ashley Locke (Eric Lee), Christopher Locke, Grant Shaffer and Cole Shaffer.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30pm on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at First United Methodist Church in Rapid City with Rev. Greg Kroger officiating.

Burial will follow in Mt. View Cemetery in Rapid City.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Rapid City Regional Auxiliary Hospice House, 224 Elk Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.

Arrangements are under the direction of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Friends may leave condolence wishes in his online guestbook at osheimschmidt.com