George Herb Lovett

George "Herb" Lovett, the youngest of 3, was born to George B Lovett and his wife Bertha M Neil on March 16th, 1932 in Sulpher , Oklahoma . At age 4, amidst the great depression, his family relocated to California . Herb graduated Anaheim High School in 1950, was instrumental in forming the "King Pins" car club, built and raced cars, and completed a plastering apprenticeship. He served in the "Sea Bees" from 1951 to 1955, and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay . After returning to California , Herb married Betty Buzdigian of Rhode Island and had two children by whom he is survived, Susan Behlow and Jerry Lovett (husband to Susan Lovett). In a partnership with his brother Harold Lovett, they owned and operated a masonry and plastering contracting business until Herb moved his family to Camp Verde , Arizona in January of 1963. Herb relocated to Camp Verde along with his sister Irene, her husband George Dodge, and their 3 children as a joint venture to construct the "Fort Verde Motel" which opened June of 1963. Both families attended the First Southern Baptist Church of Camp Verde and Herb joined the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce as well. In 1964 he bought complete interest in the motel where he lived with his family for five years. During this time, Herb helped construct and operated the "Shepherd Brothers" gas station, owned a bulk fuel delivery service, and continued doing small plastering jobs. In 1967 he began selling real estate from his own office under the broker Chuck Barnes and soon after, Bob Barker. In 1969 his brother Harold Lovett with his wife and children relocated from California to Sedona to open an additional real estate office. Within the next few years, Herb obtained a Contractors license under the name " Herb Lovett Construction Company", a brokers license, "Western Investments Reality", and opened a Cottonwood office. In 1970, Herb was elected president of the Verde Valley Chamber of Commerce. In 1971 Herb purchased parcels of land in the Verde Valley that, with the teamwork of his brother Harold Lovett, were subdivided into "Black Hills Estates" unit 1 and "Quail Springs Estates". In the 1970s, he constructed over 200 homes and projects in the Verde Valley with the help of his project superintendent, and friend, Bob by Anthony of Camp Verde . Herb moved to Cottonwood in 1974 and married Nina Graham in 1976, mother of Mike Graham (husband to Gloria Graham), June Stockbridge, and Pam Wallace (wed to Kelly Wallace). In 1980 they began to travel the country in a motor home, visiting the majority of the states throughout the next 20 years, as well as foreign travel. In 1983 Herb and Nina had a son, John Lovett who currently lives in Cottonwood and attends NAU. Although Herb quit contracting and selling real estate in the 1980s, he continued to develop properties throughout the valley using the brokerage service of his brother Harold, and the contracting business of his son Jerry. These projects included, "Bernie\u0027s Tire", "Cottonwood Quick Lube", Camp Verde Dairy Queen", Camp Verde and Cottonwood "Mobil Stations", numerous lease buildings in our area, and "Lisa\u0027s Truck Center" in Moriarty New Mexico. Through the 1980s, Herb and Nina enjoyed a houseboat at Lake Powel , later they were members of the Roadrunners Square dancers, and he spent hours exploring the local hills on his Quad. Most of all, Herb enjoyed the company and conversation of the people he met and his friends and family. Herb Lovett died at his home the morning of November 6th, 2008 in the presence of his loving wife Nina. He is survived by 6 children, 15 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a memory of his laugh and his humor. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 15 in the Westcott Funeral Home at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to RTA Hospice of Sedona whose service and support was greatly appreciated by Herb as well as his entire family. RTA Hospice of Sedona 70 Bell Rock Plaza Sedona, AZ. 86531 Written by Jerry Lovett, as directed by Herb Lovett