Obituary of George A. Begg

Passed away peacefully at home in Montecito on November 14, at the age of 91. George was born in Goleta, California on October 4, 1920 and was one of eight children (Charles aka "Chuck", Robert, James, Dorothy, Carry Mae, Carden and Thelma, all deceased), born to David Alexander Begg and Carrie Bell Begg (Main), both descendants of two Scottish immigrant families who arrived in Santa Barbara County in the late 1880s: the Beggs and the Mains. George grew up on the family farm in Old Town Goleta and witnessed Goleta's evolution from a rural, agriculture-based village to a suburban, economically-diversified community. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School as one of the outstanding athletes, Class of 1939, excelled in football and was dubbed by Coach Schutte as one of the hardest hitting and smartest players in Southern California, which won him the title of the best player per pound ever to play on a Santa Barbara team. On December 27, 1942, at St. Raphael's church in Goleta, George married his high school sweetheart - the "love of his life", Alice Acres, better known to her friends as Dolly, and had been schoolmates since the first grade and through high school. George and Dolly started their lives together in Goleta, raised two sons, George Fredrick and Edwin Allen, and later moved to Montecito. Beginning as a child Mr. Begg harvested lima beans and walnuts on his grandparent's Goleta farm and later pursued several professions, including working as a butcher, a welder in the Oakland shipyards during World War II, owned and operated his own welding shop in Goleta, served as a Santa Barbara Deputy Sheriff for 12 years, and in 1975 ended his career in law enforcement as senior investigator for the Santa Barbara District Attorney's office. Prior to and after retirement he enjoyed his long-time association with the Los Vaqueros, being a member of the Santa Barbara Trail Riders, ranching, and taking many wonderful cruises to foreign lands with his wife Dolly throughout their 69 years of marriage. George truly loved and embraced life fully. He gave generously of himself to everyone around him and set the highest standards of dignity, loyalty, honesty, and dedication with all aspects of his life, and was always a gentleman with class. His loving presence and wisdom were constant and uplifting. He will be deeply missed by his very loving family consisting of his wife Alice (Dolly) of Montecito; two sons, George Fredrick (wife Kathy) of Goleta and Edwin Allen of Santa Barbara; two grandsons, Scott Allen Begg (wife Susan), residing in Newbury Park, and Kevin David Begg, residing in San Diego; four great-grandchildren, Elise, Brooke, Abigail, and Tyler (all loves of his life), together with a multitude of nieces and nephews, and all who knew and loved him. Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2011, from 1:00 to 4-00 p.m., at the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum, 129 Castillo Street, Santa Barbara. Services will be held on Monday, November 28, 2011, 10:00 a.m., at Calvary Cemetery on Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara. Friends may honor Mr. Begg's memory by making a donation to the Santa Barbara Carriage Museum, 129 Castillo Street, P.O. Box 1587, Santa Barbara, CA 93102, under the name of George A. Begg.