George Thomas Kilishek's Obituary
George Thomas Kilishek, of Dallas, Texas passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on February 26th, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. He will always be remembered as a loving father to his children Kevin, Regina, Doug, Tom, and devoted husband to Sarah Kilishek, his wife of 60 years. A kind and loving man who had an impact on everyone he met.
He was born on August 31, 1935 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Samuel and Clara Kilishek. At 2 ½ George became a big brother to his baby sister Rose Marie Kilishek (DePaul) with whom he had a special relationship with all their life. Their family over time moved from the greater Boston area, to Holt Alabama, Louisville KY, and eventually settling in Dunellen, New Jersey. George from a very early age was captivated by all things involving flight, airplanes, and being a pilot – a dream that would become a reality later in life. He also picked up from his dad a love for amateur HAM radio, and like his father eventually also operated his own HAM radio, talking to people around the world. Though George & Rose’s father Samuel died in 1954 when George was just 18 years old, he lived long enough to see George in his first years as a cadet at the US Military Academy at West Point, another dream that George had that he had made a reality. His time at West Point was incredibly important to him and through that helped refine and forge his capability as a leader, guided by West Point’s foundational motto of duty, honor, and country. The caption under his graduation photo says it all.
“Superior. That’s what you’d call this man. Whether he was knocking them down on the football or lacrosse fields, dunking a bucket on the basketball court, astounding the “P’s” in the classroom, putting out an issue of the Pointer, wiring some new electronic gadget, coaching the goats, or doing some job for his boundless string of extracurricular activities, he was exceptional. His battles with the tacs were a source of amazement and envy for most of us, and his robust sense of humor kept us laughing.”
Upon graduating from West Point in 1957, he married Bernice Stanislawczyk and started serving in active duty in the US Army. Together they had two children Kevin (1958) and Regina (1961). George and Bernice divorced in 1964.
Following his time in the service, George settled in the greater New Brunswick, NJ area and worked for Johnson & Johnson – where George met Sarah (Sally) Wagner who also worked at J&J. A romance grew between them over time and George married Sally on December 26, 1965, a marriage of 60 years lasting until George’s passing. Together they had two children, Doug (1969) and Tom (1974). His career as Manufacturing Plant Manager and executive over a 35 year span created opportunities for him and his family to live internationally and all around the United States. During this time, George and his family lived in Dunellen NJ, Lancaster PA, Dublin Ireland, Orange CA, Danville CA, Villanova PA, Irvine CA, before finally settling and retiring in the North Dallas area.
George got to realize his dream of becoming a pilot, earning his private pilot’s license while living in southern California in the late 1970’s. He spent many years flying and exploring in day trips all around California, often with Sally and his kids, sharing the hobby he so loved. Eventually in Texas, not content with renting or co-owning a plane, George and Sally together built two single engine aircraft first in their garage, then finishing them at an airport hangar. George got to fly in an airplane built with their own hands into the mid 2000’s when it was time to graduate from that hobby.
In his retirement years, when he wasn’t flying his plane, he was golfing, part time teaching in the Plano school district, staying in touch with his children and grandchildren. Delighting in the stories he would hear from them, and sharing ones of his own. Finally settling at The Tradition at Prestonwood, George found joy in the community with his neighbors, walking their dog Missy, and most importantly caring for Sally, his loving wife of 60 years.
George is survived by his wife Sarah Ann Kilishek of Dallas, Texas; His four children, Kevin Kilishek, Regina McNutt, Doug Kilishek, and Tom Kilishek; His grandchildren, Kelly, Mischa, Brynna, Jesse, Matthew, Meghan, Cooper, Mason, Cade, and Troy; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister Rose DePaul in 2013.
The interment ceremony was Saturday March 14th at Restland Cemetery with his family followed by a celebration of life held at at the Tradition Independent Living at Prestonwood in Dallas, where George and Sally have settled since 2016.
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