1883-1969
Born in Scotland in 1883 and reared near Aberdeen, George Philip came to Davis in 1914 as Shepherd of the University Farm flock. His goal of showing at the Panama-Pacific World's Fair in San Francisco in 1915 was met - he showed the Grand Champion lamb, a feat he would repeat twenty-five years later at the World's Fair at Treasure Island.
George consistantly showed winning sheep at the Chicago Livestock Exposition: the University of California had Grand Champion lamb in 1923 and 1925, and Reserve Grand Champion lamb in 1918, 1925, and 1932. Nineteen twenty-three was a good year for University sheep - George showed the Grand Champion at the Pacific International Livestock Exposition at Portland and at the Kansas City Livestock Show.
As University Shepherd, George was as effective with students as he was with sheep. He was known as friend, counselor, and confidant of many generations of students, particularly his "barn boys", who worked with him. He even played the role of matchmaker on occasion. Members of the faculty respected him for his quiet wisdom.
Besides showing sheep successfully, George was widely known as a premier sheep judge in the Western United States. He judged at Ogden, Utah, at the Pacific International, and, for seven consecutive years, at the Oregon State Fair. At the Golden State International at Treasure Island he judged the largest Hampshire Sheep Show ever presented in the West - the judging continued for five days.
In addition to his skills with sheep and people, George was well recognized as a breeder of Border Collie sheep dogs, which were widely distributed to California livestock producers. An admirer from Scotland once sent him a bitch.
Upon his retirement in 1950, George was honored by the California Wool Growers Association by the presentation of a silver tea service to him and his wife, Mary. George and Mary moved to Sacramento where they lived until their deaths.