George Stewart

George was born February 27, 1921, in the Caldwell home of his late parents Jackson (Jack) and Jeanette Runciman Stewart. He passed away Wednesday, January 20, following a fight that lasted many years against Alzheimer's. A few months before he passed away, George knew he would not recover and said, "What can I do?…you have to have a sense of humor," he answered. It was a measure of his middle-America tenacity.
The workday on the Idaho farm began before sunrise for George and his younger brother Harold. Chores included milking cows, breaking wild horses and working 100 acres with Kate and Gin, two Missouri mules. After high school in 1939 George left Caldwell for the University of Washington where he majored in engineering and played football with the Huskies.
His spare time was devoted to making money for school and his jobs included working construction around Seattle, driving trucks, and on occasion riding in squad cars with the Seattle Police Department.
He met and fell in love with Mildred (Midge) Thunberg from Olympia who was working at Bartell's Drug Store in the University District. Midge's father, Rev. Claes Thunberg, married the couple in 1943. They soon moved to Olympia where their four children were born and raised. Attending church was important to both George and Midge and they instilled in their children a faith in the Lord.
George joined the Washington State Patrol. Soon after Governor Arthur Langlie put out a call for a Washington State Trooper that knew the streets of Seattle to serve as his driver and security. George's friends at the Seattle Police Department recommended him for the position.
He stayed on with the next Governor, Monrad Wallgren, and could be encouraged to tell stories of watching Governor Wallgren playing gin rummy while talking politics with United State Senators. He was most proud to have met President and Mrs. Harry Truman.
In 1954 he left the State Patrol to develop a 540-acre dairy farm off the Yelm Highway. It was a family business and everyone took part but George always made allowances for his children's many extracurricular activities.
In 1966 George sold the farm and he and Midge moved to an Olympia subdivision. George took a position as Vice President of Operations at Panorama City, heading up construction and remodeling of homes and apartment buildings in the retirement community.
George was a fixer, a wood worker, kept an immaculate yard and an organized shop. He was an avid reader, gardener and sports enthusiast. And always took time to help family members and friends with special projects.
He is survived by his children: Greg (Karen), Selah, WA; Jeff, Des Moines, WA; Tim (Sue), Mercer Island, WA; and his daughter, Jan Stewart, Olympia, WA. Grandchildren Tami Rennie, San Diego, CA; Brad (Janelle) Stewart, Mercer Island, WA; and Allison Stewart, Brooklyn, NY. He also is survived by brother- and sisters-in-law and by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Midge, his brother Harold, and his granddaughter Stephanie Jo Stewart.
A memorial will take place in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, WA, 98502 on Saturday, February 13 at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's name to the fire department, Gloria Dei Memorial Fund or the Stephanie Jo Stewart Memorial Library at Children's Village in care of the Yakima Memorial Foundation, 2701 Tieton, Yakima, WA, 98902.