George Wangemann, the Gainesville city councilman who resigned at the end of last year for medical reasons, died Wednesday, his death confirmed by family members early Thursday.
Wangemann, who at the time of his resignation was the longest serving member of the council, had been battling bladder cancer for some time. He was a council member for nearly 40 years, was also a former Gainesville mayor and member of the city school board.
Aside from his time on the school board and city council, Wangemann over the years had been involved in community service through several organizations: Georgia Mountain Food Bank, Keep Hall Beautiful, Georgia Mountain Regional Commission, Meals on Wheels, Historic Preservation Committee, Red Bud Project, and Boy Scouts Religious Committee.
Wangemann was a yearly participant for many years in the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge into Lake Lanier, a benefit for the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club. And he led a regular clean-up of Hall County’s Flat Creek, much of which flows through an industrial section of Gainesville and has a history of being a major source of pollution and buildup of trash of all kinds.
He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a two-year mission in Brazil North, he was a Scoutmaster, a Bishop for the Church, and a Stake President. He graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
“The hearts of those serving the city of Gainesville, including the Gainesville City Council, are broken knowing George Wangemann is no longer with us,” city spokeswoman Christina Santee said. “Mr. Wangemann, 72, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 17, after a well-fought battle against cancer.”
“…There’s no question that Mr. Wangemann made Gainesville-Hall County a better place for all during his time here on Earth. We will miss you, George.”
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Riverside Drive in Gainesville. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville.
EARLIER STORY: Wangemann resigns from G’ville City Council 97.5 Glory FM | North Georgia’s Family Radio Station (wgtjradio.com)