George Vernon Ranum

GEORGE VERNON RANUM
January 30, 1947 ˜ March 23, 2025

George’s time on earth ended in an unfortunate base-jumping accident with his old friend, Alfred E. Neuman. Or maybe not. Like most of his stories, we may never know. George is survived by his loving and patient companion of 25 years, Amelia Leung; his daughter, Jennifer Inez Murray; son-in-law, Dan; two grandchildren, Audrina, and Ace; 38 bicycles, a dozen cars, eight cuckoo clocks, and a cockatiel named Chester.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanne and Gordon, siblings Roger and Virginia, a 1985 Toyota Supra, and his left hip. Born in Seattle, WA, George was scolded for being left-handed, and upon graduating from Los Angeles’s Franklin High School in 1966, he vowed to live on his own terms.

George worked as a union painter for William’s & Bleid in Portland, OR, for 37 years, collecting nearly 3,000 sheets of medium grit sandpaper and just enough cash to get by. He was proud of his craft and remained involved in Local 10 even after retirement.

To know George was to see the world through the whimsical stories he loved to unfold. Was he on the acid bus? Did he jam with James Taylor in Hawaii? Was Hillary Rodham Clinton a beloved but distant family member? While some details may be hazy, we know for certain George was always first to the dance floor, loved junkin’, sunny days, a good bargain, and was never boring.

A bit of George lives in those he leaves behind. May we all be as unbothered by others’ opinions as he was, and live on our own terms. I love you, Dad, and you’ll surely be missed. What a long, strange trip it’s been.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, 10:30 A.M. - 12 P.M. at IUPAT DC5 Local 10, 11105 Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR, 97720. All are welcome. Instead of flowers, save your money, George would have.
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