George J. Holland

George J. Holland George Holland was born April 6, 1924. That same day four planes left Seattle, Washington and would eventually be the first airplanes to fly completely around the world. George was born to fly and became a pilot and squadron leader for the US Air Force serving in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He also had a long and fulfilling career as an aeronautical engineer in Seattle, Washington. George met his beautiful wife of 53 years, Kathleen Teresa O'Laughlin, in Ohio, while filling in for a friend on a blind date. George and Kathleen were inseparable life partners until Kathleen's death six years ago. After they met, they moved to Seattle where George worked at Boeing in a career spanning almost forty years. During this time, George had many other accomplishments but his greatest loves were God and family. He and Kathleen raised eight children - Paul, Mark, Margaret, Teresa, George, Kathleen, Maureen, and Julie - and have been blessed with twenty-two grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A praiseworthy member of the "Greatest Generation", George showed his faith, integrity, honor, and duty, not so much in words as in consistent action. He served as a genuine role model for his children, living the values he wished them to adopt. His grandchildren lovingly called him "Grumps" knowing they were unconditionally loved and his greatest joy. George was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, his brothers Matthew and Laurence and is survived by his youngest brother Jerry Holland and all of his children and grandchildren. Colonel George John Holland Retired passed into eternal life on April 28th, 2011. May the Good Lord bless and keep you, Dad! A Rosary will be recited Wednesday May 4, 2011, 6:00 P.M at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 5, 2011, 11:00 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Gig Harbor, WA with a reception following in the parish hall. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares. com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.