George C. Brockett, Jr., long-time Alamogordo businessman, passed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on November 17, at his home.He was born on April 13, 1930, on a farm in Haskell County, Texas, where he grew to love country living and helping out on the family farm. As a youth he enjoyed playing football, basketball and cooking hamburgers during church and community events. George graduated from Weinert High School in 1947, before attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, where he studied agriculture science. George served two years during the Korean War in the U.S. Army's 104th Tank Battalion at the rank of sergeant between 1951-1953.Midway through his enlistment, he returned home on leave and married the love of his life, Betty Matthews, in Munday, Texas. Following his discharge, he and Betty moved to Midland, Texas, and he was given his first job by Harold Welch, former First Lady Laura Bush's father. Mr. Welch, an important figure in his life, inspired an interest in a business career, and he eventually became the branch manager of Ford Motor Credit Company in Amarillo, followed by ownership of Brockett Ford in Dimmitt, Texas. After moving his family to New Mexico in 1967, George was employed by Blake's Lota Burger, and he managed a Las Cruces company store in 1968.His dream of owning a small business came to pass in 1969, thanks to the assistance of Alamogordo businessman, Denny O'Hara. George and his partner, Marvin G. Loyd, opened the first of 12 fast-food restaurants, It's Burger Time, in Alamogordo. Eventually there would be locations in Las Cruces, Silver City, Roswell, Carlsbad, Tularosa and El Paso. Then, from 1977 to 1992, he owned George's Restaurant and Rib Room in Alamogordo, the city's largest dining establishment at the time. He acquired the Waffle and Pancake Shoppe in 1987, and he remained active in its business activities up to the time of his death.George created hundreds of jobs during his time as a business owner, and took an active interest in his employees, helping fund college and vocational tuitions. He embraced the ideal that every person had worth and talent, and he did what he could to mentor and help others begin paths to achieve their individual potential. He loved his community and employed a tremendous sense of humor with restaurant guests of all ages. His ever-present smile and personality will be missed. He truly was, in the words of author Michael Shinabery, a "Legendary Local."George was pre-deceased by his wife of 57 years, Betty; parents George C. Brockett, Sr., and his wife Sarah, and his sister Colleene Nance. He is survived by his four children and their families: son Steve Brockett and his wife Sueko and their four children, Karly Brockett, Kara Brockett, Kaitlin Brockett and Joe Morgan, Jr.; son David Brockett and his children, Brandon Brockett and Jason Brockett and his wife Ronnella; daughter Kelly Whitehead and her husband Parks Whitehead III and their five children, Parks Whitehead IV, Christian Whitehead, Allan Whitehead, Koltan Whitehead and Sarrah Whitehead, and daughter Karen Gartner and her husband Monte Gartner and their four children, Ryan Gartner and his wife Brittany; Sean Gartner and his fiancé Anna Smith, and daughters Kaley Gartner and Chloe Gartner. He had six great-grandchildren. George also is survived by his youngest sister, Jo Coffman, and younger brother Pete Brockett and his wife Imo of Texas.A graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 21, at Monte Vista Cemetery in Alamogordo.The Brockett family has entrusted George's care to Alamogordo Funeral Home. To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.org.