George Varga III

George Varga III, 80, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2026, in Gilbert, Arizona, surrounded by the family he loved.

George was born on April 8, 1946, in Hollywood, California, to George Varga Jr. and Ida Mae Griffiths. He grew up in Van Nuys, California, before moving to Paradise Valley, Arizona, as a teenager. He graduated from Scottsdale High School in 1964 and earned his business degree from Arizona State University in 1968.

After college, George joined the United States Navy with hopes of flying in Vietnam. When the war came to an end, so did his military service, and he was honorably discharged. He carried the same commitment to service, hard work, and doing what was right throughout the rest of his life.

George joined his father at Varga Aircraft Corporation in Chandler, Arizona, where they built the Varga Kachina aircraft. He later continued the family business through Varga Enterprises, Inc. at the Chandler Airport. Following his father’s passing, George took over leadership and grew the company into multiple successful businesses serving customers around the world.

While George was respected for his accomplishments in business, he was admired most for his character. Employees, customers, suppliers, and even competitors trusted him because he treated everyone with honesty, fairness, and dignity, and he built a reputation based on integrity that lasted a lifetime.

In 1971, George met Claudia Skirving on a blind date. Both graduates of Scottsdale High School and Arizona State University, they married on April 6, 1974, and built a beautiful life together for more than fifty two years. They complemented each other perfectly, with Claudia’s warmth and outgoing personality balanced by George’s quiet strength and steady presence. George loved and served his wife through a lifetime of thoughtful actions and devotion.

Together, they raised three children: Geoffrey (Angelica), Tim, and Jenná (Peter Rehrmann).

George lived life fully. He loved playing baseball, running, biking, swimming, and competing in triathlons, marathons, and long-distance cycling events. He and Claudia were longtime Arizona State football and Arizona Diamondbacks season ticket holders. One of his proudest accomplishments was participating in the MS150 bike ride, where he raised more money for Multiple Sclerosis than anyone else in Arizona that year.

In 1982, George’s life was changed when he put his faith in Jesus Christ. He and Claudia were baptized together at Lakeshore Bible Church in Tempe, and their family later attended Grace Community Church in Tempe and The Grove in Chandler. George’s faith and his deep and abiding love for Jesus were reflected in the way he lived, through his kindness, humility, generosity, and service for others.

George was a committed family man. To his eight grandchildren, Ashley, Cole, Cohen, Kate, Quinn, Aiden, Micah, and Jay, he was simply “Papa.” He was present for their games, concerts, graduations, and Grandparents’ Day celebrations. He taught them how to swim in his backyard pool, how to play catch, and how to open the car door for their grandmother. Through those simple lessons, Papa showed them that love is expressed through kindness, respect, and service.

George loved creating memories with his family. He enjoyed taking them on vacations, especially Disney Cruises with his grandchildren. Among all the adventures, one of Papa’s favorite traditions was sharing unlimited soft serve ice cream with his grandkids. It was a simple joy that captured how much he loved being together with the people who mattered most.

Those who knew George well also knew his lighter side. He loved a good joke, enjoyed movies, and appreciated life’s simple pleasures. Though he was a man of few words, his thoughtful nature and genuine kindness made people feel comfortable and valued.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George Varga Jr. and Ida Mae Griffiths, and his brother Ronald. He is survived by his beloved wife, Claudia; his children and their spouses; his eight grandchildren; his brother Thomas; his nieces and nephews; and countless friends and loved ones whose lives were made better because they knew him.

George’s legacy is not only found in the businesses he built, but in the people he loved, the lives he influenced, and the example he set, and most importantly in his relationship with his Savior. He was a loving husband, devoted father, cherished Papa, faithful friend, and a truly remarkable man of God. He was deeply loved and respected and will be forever missed.

A Celebration of Life for George will be held Saturday, August 22, at 1 p.m. at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2085 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in George’s honor to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/PFFTribute/GeorgeVarga), or to Justice University (https://www.justiceuniversity.edu/mens-baseball).