George R. Oldham

George Oldham, beloved husband, family man, and friend, was called home in the early hours of Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Providence St. Peter’s Hospital after complications following open heart surgery.

George was born in Seattle, WA on July 16, 1942 to Kenneth Richard Oldham and Susan Flolena (Gates) Oldham. His childhood was spent in many small communities in the Pacific Northwest as his father’s ministry took them to Gig Harbor, WA; Pasco, WA; and several small towns in rural Idaho. When he was fifteen, George moved to the South Hill in Puyallup to help his grandmother with the family farm.

George joined the U.S. Navy Reserves before his senior year of high school. After graduating from Puyallup High School in 1960, George continued his itinerant life as he joined the U.S. Navy. During his 22-year career, he had a variety of duty stations including Yokosuka, Japan; Brooklyn, New York; and several bases in California. He concluded his career aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation where he made two WESTPAC cruises and reached the highest NCO rank:   E10—Master Chief. Over the course of his military career, George received numerous awards and commendations which included the National Defense Service Medal, five Good Conduct Awards, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star.

On January 8, 1965, George married the love of his life, Jane Ann Witherow. The two had been introduced by Jane’s best friend Susan Oldham, who just happened to be George’s sister. George and Jane had three children: Gregory, born in March 1966; Philip, born in October 1967; and Sheryl, born in November 1970. George leaves behind five grandchildren: Ashley, Zachary, Andrew, David, and Noelle; and his great-grandson Ian, who George and Jane had the joy to visit in the second and third weeks of his life this January in Oklahoma City.

George earned his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration in 1979 from Chapman College while he was still in the Navy. After retiring from active duty, George attended Puget Sound University and earned his Master’s in Business Administration in 1982. Soon after his graduation, he was hired by the State of Washington. He started as a temp for DSHS before going to work for the Attorney General in the fiscal department. George worked for the AG for 23 years, serving as the Payroll Manager for the final 16 years of his career. George celebrated his second retirement in 2007.

George was a long-time member of Evergreen Christian Community and served twice on the board, reaching the maximum term limit each time. George was a fixture on Sundays, serving most recently as a head usher, opening the church, and helping with set up.

George loved his Tumwater Thunderbird football team, beginning when his sons played for the T-Birds in the early 80’s. Jane stopped attending the games with George when their second son graduated, telling him that “you can keep going to those games, but you’re going without me!”   About that time George met his long-time football buddy, Wally Hunt. Wally and George attended home and away games for much of the last 15 years. This past season, George had another reason to attend the home games as his youngest granddaughter began marching in the high school band at halftime.

George lived a life of service, loved to laugh, and never missed an opportunity to brag about his kids or his grandkids. His family and friends already miss him beyond measure.

A memorial service will be held for George at 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 24 at Evergreen Christian Community (1000 Black Lake Blvd). A reception will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to either of George’s favorite causes: