George Allen “Joe Bush” Fairbanks, Sr., 75, Ponsford, MN died May 26 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Fairbanks, Sr., “Mishkow-Binise” (Strong Thunderbird), was born July 29, 1933 in White Earth, MN to Willis and Hattie (De Jorden) Fairbanks. He was raised in Pine Point, MN and attended the Pine Point School and the Park Rapids area High School. In 1951, George joined the Navy for six years, serving in Korea. He was honorably discharged with many medals. He was a certified electrician. From 1968 to 1972, George was a cook supervisor at the Job Corps Center in Rochert, MN. He also served as a Tribal Council Member in the 1970s.
He married Emily (Brown) Fairbanks in June of 1961 in Park Rapids, MN. They had four children and later divorced through Indian custom. George was of the “Odag” (Crow) Clan and became a Spiritual Advisor to the White Earth Nation. George married Margaret Norcross in 1972 at Ponsford. He had spent the last 35 years with his adopted family, six step-children, three adopted sons and 31 great-grandchildren.
George’s hobbies included visiting with friends and relatives,
pow-wows, telling stories, crossword puzzles, playing cards, watching
boxing and helping anyone who needed his advice. George is survived by
his first wife, Emily (Brown) Fairbanks; his children, Delmas (Alvina)
Fairbanks, George (Barb) Fairbanks, Jr., Bonnie Jo (Leroy) Fairbanks,
Rhonda, Myron, Vincent, Joycelyn (Louie), Greg and Lorene (Terry)
Norcross; granddaughters, Charlene, Kayla, Cheyenne, Nikki and
Michaelene
Norcross, Trista Fairbanks, Cassandra Person, Leah bloom, McKenzie and
Lucy Fairbanks; adopted sons, Reginald Meeks, Tom Peirce, Bob Peasley,
and Mike Dahl; grandsons, Dennis, Travis and Tony Norcross, Anthony and
Brandon Bloom, Craig Jackson, Jr.; 22 grandchildren; 35
great-grandchildren; Aaron “Mishkow-Binise” (Strong Thunderbird)
Norcross; and nieces, Janice Lindstrom, Ravone Vizenor and Renee
Lempke.
George was preceded in death by parents, Willis and Hattie Fairbanks;
sister, Bernice; brothers, Delven and Raymond; son, David Fairbanks;
grandparents, Anna and Bill Bassett; wife of 32 years, Margaret
Norcross; granddaughter, Carol Peake; and great-grandson, Sheldon Peake
Bluebird. Traditional Service was held May 30 at the Pine Point New
School Gymnasium. Interment was at the George Fairbanks, Sr. residence.
Share memories at: www.daviddonehower.com.
