George Edward Balch, Jr.

GEORGE E. BALCH, JR. September 28, 1925 ~ May 1, 2017 George E. Balch, Jr., 91, known as "Bud" to his family and close friends, of Lakewood, WA, passed away May 1, 2017. He was born Sept. 28, 1925 in Idaho Falls, ID, attended Baker City, OR schools through his sophomore grade, and then graduated from Longview, WA high school in 1943. George joined the US Army during World War II, serving in the Pacific area. Following that, he graduated from the University of Oregon, having played on the Ducks football team and lettering in swimming. George worked as the NW Sales Representative for Binney and Smith, the Crayola people, for forty years. His area covered Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii. He received the National Salesman Award for Excellence 2 years in a row. Most Unusual. George was a 50 plus year member of the Tacoma Elks Club and a lifetime member of the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, OR. He had many wonderful friends there and won many handball competitions there. Handball was the love of his life in sports and for which he won over 100 trophies and awards. At the age of 81, George entered the World Handball competition in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and won second place in the World in singles Handball in his age group. Gardening was his second passion as he had over 80 varieties of rare plants and trees at his Lakewood home. He personally cared for his yard until he was 88 years old. George's genealogy includes the Balch Home, Beverly, MA, oldest home in the US, 1636, and Steilacoom, first settlement in the territory of Washington, by Lafayette Balch. This is for history buffs. ~ He was a kind, generous, loving man. ~ George is survived by his wife, Betty; his daughter, Valerie Ufer (Stephen); his stepchildren, Susan Neff and Charles Neff; his sisters, Joice Himmelsback (Ralph) and Barbara Burness; nephew, Jimmie; nieces, Debra, Chris, Kimmie, and Christmas Carroll; grandsons, Robbie and Trevor; granddaughter, Kristine; and two great-granddaughters. He was preceded by his wife, Barbara; and daughter, Muriel Gordon (John). A memorial service will be held on Sat., May 13, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Lakewood, WA at the Mountain View Funeral Home, 42100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW. In lieu of flowers, George requests that a donation be made to the University of Washington prostate cancer research team in Seattle, or a charity of your choice . Arrangements under the direction of Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Vancouver, WA. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

George Edward Balch, Jr.

September 28, 1925 - May 1, 2017