Today we remember the life and the achievements of one of the great Americans of our lifetime: Dr. Martin Luther King.
I read somewhere this morning---maybe on Twitter---that Dr. King so deserves this day of honor because he accomplished great strides in putting our "Declaration of Independence" into practice.
A lofty achievement, indeed.
Well, another great man is being remembered on this day in a rural Washington community.
He was a great influence in his community, in his church and with his wonderful family.
The life of my Uncle George is being celebrated today. Although I can't be there for his service, I'll be there in spirit.
I did not see my Uncle George very often over my lifetime, but every visit left me with a fond memory of a good and gentle man. In addition, everything I've ever heard others say about George was filled with great admiration.
This morning, in his honor, I'll close with his obituary along with photos of him and my late Aunt Rita, which my cousin Sue posted on Facebook last week after George's passing last week.
Rest in Peace, Uncle George, and much love to your family.
GEORGE B. WALTHO, SR.
George B. Waltho, Sr., of Ephrata, Washington, pitched the game of his life on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, going home to be with The Lord and the love of his life, Rita.
George was a lifelong resident of the Ephrata/Soap Lake, Washington area. Born on September 8, 1926 to George and Margaret (Maggie) Waltho, he was raised in the hotel business in Soap Lake when it was a resort destination.
George served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was stationed in Guam and Saipan.
He had a great passion for the sport of baseball, playing semi-pro ball for the Wenatchee Chiefs, and later pitched and was first baseman for the local town league.
George met Rita Brown at a church social and a few months later, on September 13, 1947, they were married by Father John Marceillo at Our Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church in Soap Lake.
Their marriage was blessed with six children: Loretta (Raymond) Mayer, Ephrata, Madalyn (Doug) Miller, Ephrata, Laureen (Darrel) Monasmith Spokane, Wash., Rita (Jerry) Magnaghi, Kennewick, Wash., George, Jr. (Kathy) Waltho, Ephrata, and Carol Waltho, Renton, Wash; 12 grand-children: Lindsay, Mitchel, Melissa, Angie, Amanda, Aaron, Macie, Abby, Kristin, Michael, Jessie and Lisa; and 14 great grandchildren – all who recall a life filled with wonderful memories of their father and grandfather. He was very proud of each and everyone of his children and their accomplishments.
Following George’s Navy commitment, he worked as a milk and fuel delivery man for Maude Radke, then proceeding to car sales and service, for several years, with Eastham Chevrolet. George also leased and operated a Chevron gas
station for many years on the corner of Basin and Division, known as the ‘busiest corner in town.’ Later, he became a Jobber for Standard Oil Company, operating an oil distribution plant. During this period, George was approached by Bing Ramm and Willis Helms, to join them as a partner in Inland Oil Company of Ephrata, where he retired in 1989.
George was a charter member of St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus, achieving the designation of Grand Knight and District Deputy. He enjoyed bowling with his Knights of Columbus team for many years, as well. He and Rita were instrumental in the formation and establishment of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. He was involved in numerous local civic organizations, a coach for local youth baseball and was a certified basketball league referee. Upon retirement, George became a member of the Lakeview Golf & Country Club, where he enjoyed numerous rounds of golf with his friends, Paul Klasen, Bill Korach, Dick Ross and Paul White. He even achieved every golfers’ dream ... a “hole in one” on Hole #5, (no less) the autumn following a liver transplant.
Upon retirement, he and Rita enjoyed traveling, gambling, golfing and spending time at their Blue Lake cabin, where many happy memories were created with their children, grandchildren and friends.
Anyone who had the opportunity to meet and know George, can vouch for one of his BEST attributes ... his sense of humor. His love of his family, community, honesty and work ethic were some of his greatest traits.
George was preceded in death by his parents; caring wife, Rita; and his sister, Margaret (Babe) Manning.
The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 323 D St. SW, Ephrata.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Internment to follow in the Catholic Cemetery, located directly behind the church.
A reception will follow at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School located at 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Scholarship Fund, Ephrata; the Mel Leseman Fund at Washington Trust Bank, Ephrata branch; or Columbia Basin Hospital Foundation Fund, Ephrata.
George B. Waltho, Sr., of Ephrata, Washington, pitched the game of his life on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, going home to be with The Lord and the love of his life, Rita.
George was a lifelong resident of the Ephrata/Soap Lake, Washington area. Born on September 8, 1926 to George and Margaret (Maggie) Waltho, he was raised in the hotel business in Soap Lake when it was a resort destination.
George served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was stationed in Guam and Saipan.
He had a great passion for the sport of baseball, playing semi-pro ball for the Wenatchee Chiefs, and later pitched and was first baseman for the local town league.
George met Rita Brown at a church social and a few months later, on September 13, 1947, they were married by Father John Marceillo at Our Sorrowful Mother Catholic Church in Soap Lake.
Their marriage was blessed with six children: Loretta (Raymond) Mayer, Ephrata, Madalyn (Doug) Miller, Ephrata, Laureen (Darrel) Monasmith Spokane, Wash., Rita (Jerry) Magnaghi, Kennewick, Wash., George, Jr. (Kathy) Waltho, Ephrata, and Carol Waltho, Renton, Wash; 12 grand-children: Lindsay, Mitchel, Melissa, Angie, Amanda, Aaron, Macie, Abby, Kristin, Michael, Jessie and Lisa; and 14 great grandchildren – all who recall a life filled with wonderful memories of their father and grandfather. He was very proud of each and everyone of his children and their accomplishments.
Following George’s Navy commitment, he worked as a milk and fuel delivery man for Maude Radke, then proceeding to car sales and service, for several years, with Eastham Chevrolet. George also leased and operated a Chevron gas
station for many years on the corner of Basin and Division, known as the ‘busiest corner in town.’ Later, he became a Jobber for Standard Oil Company, operating an oil distribution plant. During this period, George was approached by Bing Ramm and Willis Helms, to join them as a partner in Inland Oil Company of Ephrata, where he retired in 1989.
George was a charter member of St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus, achieving the designation of Grand Knight and District Deputy. He enjoyed bowling with his Knights of Columbus team for many years, as well. He and Rita were instrumental in the formation and establishment of St. Rose of Lima Catholic School. He was involved in numerous local civic organizations, a coach for local youth baseball and was a certified basketball league referee. Upon retirement, George became a member of the Lakeview Golf & Country Club, where he enjoyed numerous rounds of golf with his friends, Paul Klasen, Bill Korach, Dick Ross and Paul White. He even achieved every golfers’ dream ... a “hole in one” on Hole #5, (no less) the autumn following a liver transplant.
Upon retirement, he and Rita enjoyed traveling, gambling, golfing and spending time at their Blue Lake cabin, where many happy memories were created with their children, grandchildren and friends.
Anyone who had the opportunity to meet and know George, can vouch for one of his BEST attributes ... his sense of humor. His love of his family, community, honesty and work ethic were some of his greatest traits.
George was preceded in death by his parents; caring wife, Rita; and his sister, Margaret (Babe) Manning.
The Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 323 D St. SW, Ephrata.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2012 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with Internment to follow in the Catholic Cemetery, located directly behind the church.
A reception will follow at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School located at 520 Nat Washington Way, Ephrata.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic School Scholarship Fund, Ephrata; the Mel Leseman Fund at Washington Trust Bank, Ephrata branch; or Columbia Basin Hospital Foundation Fund, Ephrata.
2 comments:
Thank you, MLove, for this posting! I was a classmate of George's youngest daughter, Carol, at St. Rose Grade School, Ephrata Junior High and High School. Our fathers both worked for Eastham Chevrolet (Dad was Parts Manager). Our older siblings were classmates, and our nieces and nephews are friends in Ephrata now.
I live in Indiana, so wasn't able to go to his funeral, but my brother who was painting in the church relayed my message to Carol as the two of them were visiting.
It was great to read this and remember his deep voice, his encouraging comments to young people, and his hearty laugh.
I hope that you get a chance to know your cousins well; they're a wonderful family!
Thank you for your note. Much appreciated.
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