George Leverne Falk, 95, formerly of Des Moines, Iowa, went on to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Thursday, November 5, 2009 in Rocky Mount, NC. He was born July 4, 1914 in Des Moines and was the son of Carl G. Falk, Sr. and Josephine Anderson Falk.

Coach Falk attended the Des Moines Public Schools, graduating from East High School in 1934. George then graduated from the University of Iowa in January, 1940, working two jobs to pay his own way through college during the Great Depression. While at Iowa, George was a varsity swimmer and played football as a member of the famed "Iron Men" team of 1939. His dear friend and teammate, Nile Kinnick, won the 1939 Heisman Trophy.
George worked summer jobs during his college years, including lifeguard duties at Birdland Pool where he often instructed a then -WHO radio sportscaster and future U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, on the finer aspects of platform diving.

George served his country honorably in the U.S. Navy (Lt.) during WWII, primarily as a gunnery officer on a tanker in the South Pacific Theater. After his discharge from active duty, he served another 20 years in the Navy Reserve.

George coached football and baseball at North High School in Des Moines from 1946-1960 and took a team to the State Baseball Championship game in 1953. He is considered a father figure and mentor to countless young men who played on his teams at North High.

He is survived by one son, Nile K. "Nick" Falk and wife, Carolyn B. Falk of Rocky Mount, N.C. and three grandchildren, Stephanie F. Martin (Ray) of Atlanta, GA, Christopher (Meredith) of Raleigh, NC and Jonathan of Virginia Beach, VA; a brother, Carl Falk, Jr. (Betty) of Des Moines and three nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, his beloved wife, Margaret Gharst Falk, and his sister, Hazel F. Still.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Spring Arbor of Rocky Mount, the Hospice of Nash General and to Joanne Pope for their kindness and watchcare for George, especially in the final month of his life.

Visitation will precede the funeral service at Westkirk Presbyterian Church, 2700 Colby Woods Drive, Urbandale, Iowa on Monday, November 9, 2009. Visitation will commence at 1 p.m. followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Michael Mudlaff officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Gardens, Merle Hay Road in Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made either to the First Baptist Church Enhance the Vision Building Fund, Rocky Mount, NC, or to the Westkirk Presbyterian Church Building Fund.

Arrangements will be entrusted to Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel in Des Moines, Iowa with able assistance by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, NC.
Online condolences may be sent to the Falk family by http://www.wheelerandwoodlief.com/ (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) or www.ilesfuneralhomes.com (Des Moines,Iowa).