George Ormay Sheldon

Feb 1, 1934 Mar 9, 2018

George Ormay Sheldon, 84, passed away March 9th 2018 at his San Francisco home.

Born and raised in San Francisco to Charles M. Sheldon and Valarie Ormay, he graduated from Lowell High School in 1952 and went on to get his BA at Stanford in Economics (‘56). Sheldon’s love of music carried through college where he became Drum Major of the Stanford band as a Sophomore and started the Straw Hat band, a tradition that lives on today. He earned his wings in the US Airforce as a Captain flying KC97’s in the Strategic Air Command until 1959. Sheldon returned to Stanford to study business, graduating with an MBA in 1961. His business acumen served him well at Curley-Bates Sporting Goods Company, where he spent nearly thirty years, rising to CEO and eventually purchasing the company. At Curley-Bates Sheldon launched and built the Easton Bat Franchise as well as the Mizuno Sporting Goods Franchise in North America. He was an active member of Young President’s Organization of Northern California where he served as President and went on to become International President of the World President’s Organization. He leaves behind the many friends and musicians he shared time with at the Bohemian Club, the French Club, the Wine and Food Society, as well as serving a term as “Father” of the Family Club. An avid outdoorsman, Sheldon enjoyed sharing the outdoors with his children and grandchildren on hiking, backpacking and fishing trips. George Sheldon is survived by his life partner Rita Channon and his three children from his first marriage to Barbara Sheldon: Wayne Sheldon of Danville, CA, Barry Sheldon of Darien, CT and Gail Sheldon of Pleasanton, CA, and was a loving grandfather to five grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to Make-A-Wish Foundation Greater Bay Area.