George W. Carlile

George W. Carlile

George W. Carlile, 74, and a christian man, has completed his journey in life on August 17, 2004 in Edmonds, WA, after spending time fighting cancer and experiencing many of life's challenges.
He was born in Yakima on January 18, 1930, to J. Walter and Sarah Carlile. A graduate of Yakima Senior High School in 1948, he found himself of an age to serve during the Korean War with service in the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserves, Washington Air National Guard and the Army Reserves for just over 31 years. While in the Air Force, he met, fell in love with, and married Joan Blair, who delivered four sons. In 1967 after a divorce, he met Carolyn J. Benbrook, found love, and was presented with two additional children, James and Debbie, for a total of six children.
In 1977 he became a Mason and served as Master of the Edmonds Lodge and participated in many Masonic activities. In 1998-1999 he served as the Most Illustrious Grand Master of Washington during which time he visited 18 states, several of them many times and established friendships around the world. In 1976 George became a member of the Order of Odd Fellows and served the Order with distinction. In 2003 to 2004 he served as Grand Patriarch for Washington State. He was active in working with the Rainbow Girls, receiving Grand Cross of Colors Honorary member of Job's Daughters, Past Patron of Analia and Everett Order of Eastern Star, Past Patron of Welcome Court Order of Amaranth, Past Noble Grand of Plymouth Rebekah Lodge, Past Noble Grand of Edmonds Odd Fellow Lodge and Past Commander of Frank Frees Post.
A member of Everett First Baptist Church, he served in many leadership roles helping and loving people who were important to him and he took any opportunity to counsel any and all who sought him out.
George spent several years in the funeral industry, cemetery management, working with the Boy Scouts and the Boeing Company in Seattle and Everett. His military decorations are numerous and were a great joy to him, but his greatest score was the great number of friends who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn J.; five sons, Robert of Snohomish, Ronald of Kirkland, James of Everett, Jeffrey of Seattle, Michael of Everett; a daughter, Deborah A. O'Connor of Everett; three sisters, Margaret Sargent of Anchorage, AK, Barbara White of Walla Walla, and Myrna Myrick of Rosewell, NM; two brothers, Bill of Pittsburgh, CA and Frank of Walla Walla; 18 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at Edmonds Masonic Center on Sunday, August 29th at 3:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the George W. Carlile Scholarship Fund for Youth, P.O. Box 3176, Everett, Wa 98213.
Arrangements by Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett.