George L. Lunden July 26.1927-December 22, 2021

Dad was born in Ione Washington to Louis and Myrtle Lunden.  He had two older sisters who proceed him in death, Lois and Ruth. He graduated from Ione High School in 1945.  Shortly after he was drafted into the Army. When he completed his draft service, he attended Washington State College (now Washington State University).  He joined the Reserves to earn a little extra money.  He was sent to Korea in June of 1950.  He returned to Pullman and received a degree in Forestry.

At Down River Days 1956 he went on a blind date with a schoolteacher named Lois Freeman. They were married in 1957.  Dad was asked on his 91 ^st birthday, "what is the best thing that has happened to you in your life?  Marring Lois." They were married for 59 ½ years.

His career with the Forest Service began when he was 14.  He worked as a "flunky" in kitchens. At 16 he manned a lookout tower, with his loyal dog Nuisance.  Over the course of his career, he rose to the rank of District Ranger. He worked on the Clearwater, Coeur d' Alene, Kaniksu, and Colville National forests. He retired in 1981 from the Newport Ranger District.  When he was transferred to Newport it was a return home.

After his retirement Dad enjoyed working in his gardens.  He was proud of his flowers, especially the dahlias.  He and Mom always had a big vegetable garden.  They liked sharing the produce with neighbors and friends. They enjoyed traveling with each other.  Together they made a cross country trip with a stop in St. Louis to see his Cardinals play.  A lifelong dream for him.  They went on several cruises, including through the Panama Canal.

They were season ticket holders for WSU football and made many friends at the tailgate parties.  They went to many sporting events.

He was an active member of the Grizzly Booster Club, the Kiwanis, and volunteered with Mom at the Inland Northwest Blood Center drives in Newport.

Dad is preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, all his brothers and sisters-in-law.  He was the last of his generation. He is also preceded in death by his wife Lois and son Eric.

He is survived by his daughter Karen, her husband Frank of Yorktown VA, and two Granddaughters, Kristin and Katharine Lewis. He is survived by nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at a future date.  If you wish to make a donation in his honor suggestions are, the United Church of Christ in Newport, MS Society, or Pend Oreille County Historical Society.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements.  Family and

friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com