George Frank Janak

MEDALS-RIBBONS: Combat Action, Navy Unit Commendation w/Star, Good Conduct W/9 Stars, National Defense w/Star, Korean Service, Vietnam Service w/2 Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, United Nations Service, Vietnam Campaign

Master Gunnery Sergeant Janak served in both Korea and Vietnam and completed 30 years of service to his country as a U.S. Marine.

Longtime Wilson resident George Fry passed away peacefully at his winter 
home in California Saturday, January 11, 2014. George leaves behind “my 
wonderful bride” of 62 years, Helen, four children and four 
grandchildren. 
George’s passion for hunting and fishing brought him to Jackson Hole for 
the first time in the 1960’s, when he stayed as a guest at the Crescent H 
Ranch. He so loved the area that he built a family retreat cabin in 1978, 
and spent every summer in the Hole since. 
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1925, George grew up in the Depression years 
and served in the US Army, surviving the Hϋrtgen Forest, Battle of the 
Bulge and the Bridge at Remagen conflicts.  
With help from the GI Bill, George obtained his undergraduate degree, 
and later he worked his way through an MBA degree from Wharton. At age 
26 he went to work for Hughes Aircraft as an Industrial Engineer. Two 
years later he took a large salary cut and borrowed money to help fund 
and manage a small start-up operation in California. True-Trace Corp. 
grew, and George’s team built the company into the world’s premier 
machine tool tracing valve manufacturer, employing over 300 people. He 
always said that his best business strength was in building the team and 
creating the environment for it to thrive. 
George sold True-Trace in 1968 at age 43 and appreciated a dollar in the 
pocket, and never sought to “do it again and maybe lose it all.”  He 
pursued his active retirement by traveling, hunting and fishing 
worldwide, enjoying fine wines and good times with fellow members of 
the Young Presidents Organization, for which he served as Vice President 
of Worldwide Membership, and later, World Business Council.  
George caught fish on every continent except Antarctica, and recalled the 
thrills of bonefishing at Christmas Island and the time a large tarpon tried 
to either make an escape or utterly give up by jumping into the boat. His 
last horseback hunt at age 82 was an attempt to bag his only missing 
trophy, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn. He glassed several smaller 
specimens, but none worthy of taking. He respected wildlife and the joy 
of the hunt more than the trophy itself.  
Serving on boards of directors for several companies and philanthropic 
endeavors rounded out his connection to community. He also enjoyed the 
annual cowboy trek and many friendships generated by the Rancheros 
Visitadores. 
The Jackson Hole One Fly was a natural outlet for George. He sponsored 
one of the first teams, and participated in 25 of 27 events. His Fishscalers 
placed second overall twice. Fishscalers spun off the first all-woman 
team, the Lady Bugs, which was Helen’s team. Over the years, countless 
Fishscales® and Tangle-Nots®, which he developed with close friend Vern 
Bressler, have been donated to the One Fly and beyond, promoting the 
catch-and-release philosophy worldwide. George received the Peter 
Crosby Sportsmanship Award and, last year, became only the second 
recipient of the Chairman’s Award in recognition of his contributions to 
the One Fly Foundation.  
George possessed the unique ability to connect with others, and it can 
truly be said that he never met a stranger. He greatly treasured the 
friendships that he found while casting a fly. Any mention of George’s 
passion for fishing and the great camaraderie involved would not be 
complete without mention of his legendary campfire serenades on 
harmonica at evening’s end, where song and storytelling would finally lull 
the weary anglers off to bed. 
To his delight, George watched his children and grandchildren take up fly
fishing and other outdoor recreational activities. He also passed along to 
them his famous steak & Caesar salad recipes and appreciation for a good 
red wine. But as much as he loved the great outdoors and “putting miles” 
on his treasured Stetson, George’s greatest love has always been Helen, 
and she looks forward to embracing the many wonderful friendships they 
built—together