George "Big George" Hettinga

George Hettinga
Date Of Birth: 04/24/1944
Date of Death: 12/26/2025

George Hettinga, affectionally known as "Big George", age 81, of Hillsboro, Oregon passed away peacefully the late evening of December 26, 2025. George (Sjeord) was born in Sneek, Friesland, a northern province of The Netherlands. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1948, settling in Southern California, where they lived and worked on a dairy farm. In High School, he played basketball, and in 1962, he graduated as one of 13 student's from Ontario Christian School's second graduating class. As a young man, in addition to milking cows, he also worked loading and delivering hay.

Shortly after marrying his wife Janet, in 1969, they moved to Northern then Western Washington, continuing his work in the dairy business. In 1976, their family relocated to Hillsboro, Oregon. Here, he continued to milk cows, and began making heavy equipment deliveries, eventually working full time for Power Rents, and later United Rentals, In addition, he worked for Amstad Produce, making daily trips through the Columbia River Gorge from Sherwood to Boardman retiring in 2015.

George was a hard worker, always showing up not only for his job, but also for his family and friends. He was a member of a bowling league and continued his love of basketball as a referee for Tualatin Hills Recreation for many years. He also loved a road trip, was passionate about fishing, hunting, watching football, reading piles of western novels, listening to music and sang with his baritone voice in the church choir. His bold personality matched his size, and impacted everyone he met with his warmth, charm and legendary wit.

He is preceded in death by his wife and parents. Living family members include his siblings: Tena, Arthur and Rita; his children: Don, David, Peter and Karin; His daughter and son-in-laws: Kathy, Jill, and David; his grandchildren Jon, Jessica (and her husband Steve), Daniel (and his partner Krista), Nick (and his wife Hailey), Alissa (and her husband Cole), Jacob (and his wife Abby), Andrew, and Benjamin; and his great grandchildren: Delia, Elise, Remi, Ivy Mae, and Aurora.