May 21, 1958-Feb. 9, 2024
George Thomas Bloom, age 65, passed peacefully from this life on Feb. 9, 2024. His passing ended a short but intense fight with pancreatic cancer. Throughout his life and during his illness, George lived his life with quiet kindness, determination and faithfulness.
George was born May 21, 1958, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Charles Neal Bloom and Betty Ann Thomas Bloom. George was raised in Glendale, Arizona, served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Columbia, Vancouver Mission, and attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While at BYU, George worked as a lifeguard where he met BYU swimmer Lisa Swaim. They were married Dec. 29, 1981, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temple in Los Angeles, California.
After graduating from BYU, George worked for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for three years and then worked 22 years for the City of Fontana Police Department where he filled various assignments as an officer, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant. George had many wonderful colleagues at Fontana PD and looked forward to an annual reunion with them after retiring. He was thrilled to see his son Zachary join the ranks of this great department in recent years and enjoyed chatting with Zack regularly about his work.
After living in Fontana, California, for 12 years, George’s family moved to Hesperia, California, for 24 years, and then George and Lisa built their dream home in New Harmony, Utah, in 2020. In New Harmony, George could have a nice garden, fruit trees, and lots of room to have family and friends gather to enjoy each other and the beautiful surroundings. Many great memories were made in this place with family and friends.
George loved music and played the piano by ear. He loved fishing, hiking, and hunting, especially with his dad, brother, son and sons-in-law. George loved the Lord and was always an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. George enjoyed researching his family history and knew many great facts and stories about his ancestors.
Most of all, George treasured his family and was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He and Lisa focused on their family and enjoyed doing things with the children as they were growing up including, but not limited to, attending their swim meets, boating, playing at the beach, hiking and fishing throughout the western states. George adored his 12 grandchildren and loved spending time with them.
George was loved by many. Family members considered him not only a relative but also a good friend and a trusted confidant, and friends considered him to be family. He was open and warm patient and loving. His steady and calm demeanor blessed all those around him, especially during stressful and trying times. Truly, George was one of the “good guys” and we are all blessed to have known and loved him.
Left behind with a lifetime full of fond memories are his wife Lisa, daughter Crystal and her husband Justin Delatore, daughter Shannon and her husband Darin Thomas, daughter Jamie and her husband Doug Beckstrand, son Zachary and his wife Jennifer Bloom, his mother Betty Bloom and siblings Lynnette Erickson and Neal Bloom. He is also survived by his 12 wonderful grandchildren: Everett, June, Mattie, Thomas, Marley, Nora, Mae, Ruth, Remi, Quinni, Anna and Alyssa. George is preceded in death by his father Charles Bloom, his mother-in-law Bonny Faulkner and his father-in-law Dewey Swaim.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m., with visitation from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Kanarraville Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 80 S Main Street, Kanarraville, Utah. Interment will take place at the Kanarraville Cemetery immediately after the service.
George’s family would like to acknowledge the excellent medical care he received from so many kind and compassionate medical professionals over the past two months and for the tender hospice care given by all the healthcare workers at the Intermountain Health Regional Hospital of St. George. During his illness, George felt the love of God, family and friends through an outpouring of visits, calls, texts and so many prayers on his behalf. We cannot adequately express our appreciation for the care and compassion we have received from medical professionals and from so many friends and family members who loved George.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign George’s online guest book.