Gary Palmer George, 71, a longtime Burlington area resident, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon.
Gary was born in Wheaton, Minnesota on January 11, 1936, the son of Kalman & Dora Swedlund George. He was raised and attended grade school in Minnesota until the family moved to Artesia, California where he graduated from high school.
After completing his education Gary worked as a milker on a local dairy farm and as a meat cutter until being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. While serving over seas Gary was the camps head cook, overseeing and preparing meals for his comrades.
After his discharge he returned to California, making his home in Gardena where he was united in marriage to Barbara Busch.
Gary returned to work as an apprentice meat cutter, working for Clark’s Market in Gardena and then for Boys Market for many years. In 1974 he and his family moved to Caldwell, Idaho and he worked as a meat cutter for Johnson’s Beef in Boise until moving to Sedro-Woolley in 1978. Gary had worked as the meat department manager at the Red Apple Market in Mount Vernon until his retirement in 1999. He and Barbara have been residents of Burlington since 1991.
Gary enjoyed going on hunting and fishing trips with his family and friends, attending Rodeos, growing vegetables in his garden and cooking for his family. He also enjoyed his weekly get togethers with his morning coffee gang at various coffee establishments around the Burlington area.
Gary is survived by his wife, Barbara at the family home in Burlington. His children; Jeff George and his wife, Janet of Aiea, Hawaii, Kevin George of Rockledge, Florida, Lisa Woiwod and her husband, Denny of Burlington and Heidi Swanson and her husband, Paul of Sedro-Woolley. Seven grandchildren, Chelsea Harmia Kyle, Krista Van Dijk Matt, Lauren, Katie and Justin George, Jennifer Woiwod and Kristopher Swanson and two great-grandchildren, Paige & Colton Van Dijk. His brother, Dwight George and his sister, Debbie Lancaster and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Duane George and a sister, Vicky George.
A Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. Memorials are suggested to a charity of your choice in memory of Gary. Cremation arrangements and services are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley