Dr. George Soloman Naifeh, Jr.

Dr. George Soloman Naifeh, Jr. was born Nov 26, 1931 in Ft. Madison, Iowa to George and Rose Naifeh. After completing high school in 1949 and one semester at University of Iowa in Iowa City, George enlisted in the Navy and honorably served from 1951 to 1955. George met and married Virginia Lowenberg in 1955 and moved to Iowa City. In 1957, George was accepted into medical school at University of Iowa and received his MD in 1961. In June of 1961 the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona to enable George to do his internship. Dr. Naifeh conducted a thriving general practice in west Phoenix and the family moved to Litchfield Park, Arizona where they lived for almost 30 years with the exception of 3 years (1967-1970) in Galveston, Texas where he did a Radiology residency at University of Texas Medical Branch. Upon their return to Litchfield Park, the Naifehs moved into their newly-built home with their 7 children all of which graduated from Agua Fria High School in Avondale before getting various college degrees. In 1997, Dr. and Mrs. Naifeh moved to Prescott, Arizona to retire. However, retirement was very brief since he accepted part-time work in the Radiology Department at the Prescott VA Medical Center. Dr. Naifeh died in hospice care in Prescott on April 21, 2011 after two weeks in the ICU. He is survived by his wife, Virginia (Ginny) and his 7 children: Kathy Naifeh, Kimberly Reichmann, George Naifeh III, Dr. Kerri Smith, Kelli Price, Kamila Sharp, and Kristin Erno. He is also survived by his brother, John Naifeh, 9 nieces and nephews, 15 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Dr. Naifeh was dearly loved by his family and respected and liked by his friends and the medical communities in which he worked. His life was full and happy because of his faith in God and his devotion to his family. His work was an endeavor of passion. He travelled to Peru, Romania, and Micronesia for medical missions. Dr. Naifeh was an avid civic volunteer throughout his life and was a big brother in Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters. He was a former member of the Litchfield Park Kiwanis and was active in St Lukes Episcopal Church in Prescott.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3208 Lakeside Village Dr, Prescott, AZ 86301, 928-778-5135 or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 1-800-822-6344.

Cemetery:
A committal with military honors is at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 6th, 2011 at the Prescott National Cemetery, corner of Hwy 69 and Hwy 89, in Prescott.

Service:
A celebration and gathering for Dr. George Naifeh, Jr. will take place at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 6th, 2011 at the Northern Arizona V.A. Chapel, 500 Hwy 89N, in Prescott.