George John Minarcek

George John Minarcek, 81, of Dayton passed away on October 8, 2025. He died peacefully at home with his family-it almost looked like he was smiling.

He was born on August 9, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas, and raised by his mother, Janet Guerrero Hinton, and maternal grandparents, Elena and Guadalupe Guerrero.

George was an electrical engineer, professionally licensed in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, who studied at the University of Notre Dame before receiving his BS degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he served in the Marine Corps Reserves. For more than 30 years he owned and ran Aztec Electric, an electrical-contracting business based in Dayton’s historic district, and was particularly proud of projects at the Dayton Dragons Day Air Ballpark and Dayton International Airport. He cofounded and served as president of the Dayton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was honored as Ohio’s Hispanic Businessman of the year.

He liked to joke that he wanted his obit to claim he died saving his family and untold masses from a burning, sinking ship. But his kids agree his 13-year-long slugfest with cancer and then congestive heart failure was heroic enough.

He had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a joke. Even when they weren’t that funny, what made everyone inevitably giggle is that no one laughed louder than he did. His was of the throw-back-your-head and cackle variety that few people can pull off with such panache.

Some of his favorite times were spent at Caesar’s Creek with his family on their boat, Gail Warning, going to Cincinnati Reds games, and traveling, particularly to National Parks, New York, London, Paris, Ireland, and Argentina. He helped with his son’s Boy Scouts troop, danced in his daughter’s recitals, and more recently loved spending time with his seven grandkids. He liked to play golf (once hitting a hole-in-one), reading history, novels, and the Dayton Daily News, and seeing movies at The Neon.

He is preceded in death by his son Jason Minarcek; daughter Dana Minarcek; mother and grandparents; half-brothers Robert (Mickey) and Grady (Linda) Hinton.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Gail (Richie) Minarcek, whose devoted care sustained him for his final decade; son Michael Minarcek (Jette); daughter Andrea Minarcek Jessup (Andrew); sister Katherine Whittington; and grandchildren Matilda, Mae, Eliza, and Ivy Minarcek and Elena, Hugo, and Rowan Jessup.

His family will celebrate his memory and life at Newcomer’s Beavercreek Chapel (3380 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45432) on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. His service will begin at 3:00 p.m.

To view the livestream of George's service please click here. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, Honor Flight Dayton, or the charity of your choice. You’re welcome to write a condolence message, send flowers, upload a photo, and share a memory of George below.