George William Holmbeck

George William Holmbeck, age 71, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at his home.

A visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 27, 2008 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 28, 2008 at Hull & Hull Chapel. Interment will follow at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens.

Remembrances may be made to Sparc Enterprises/Stepping Stones, 1990 NW Washington Blvd, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

George was born April 14, 1937 in Los Angeles, California to Erling & Marjorie (Cannell) Holmbeck. In 1950 he moved with his family to Wimer and in 1955 graduated from Rogue River High School. On May 26, 1957 in Cave Junction he married Evelyn Mathews and in June 1958 they moved to Grants Pass. He served in the United States Naval Reserves. He worked in various jobs in the Rogue Valley including an Oregon Caves tour guide from April 1956 to September 1957; for local gas stations; Rogue Gold Creamery; Texaco Bulk Plant; and the Josephine County Road Department from 1965 to 1970. From 1970 to 1976 he worked at Rogue River Hardware and at the same time started work for the Grants Pass Fire Department. In 1976 he became a fire prevention officer for the Fire Department where he stayed until his retirement in 1995.

At age 17, he volunteered with the Rogue River Fire Department for two years. At age 21, he volunteered with the Grants Pass Fire Department until he became employed with them in 1970. He served on the board of directors for SPARC Enterprises for many years and in the 1960’s was a member and past president of the Roaring Rogue Yellow Jackets CB Club.

He attended Parkway Christian Center for many years and was involved in Royal Rangers.

His hobbies included woodworking, fishing on the Rogue River, and traveling. He especially loved his dog, Emily.

In addition to his wife, Evelyn Holmbeck of Grants Pass; he is survived by four daughters, Nancy Burgess of Anchorage, Alaska, Ronda Janisch of Central Point, Kathi Holmbeck and Kristi Roe both of Grants Pass; three sons, William Holmbeck of Medford, Bruce Holmbeck of Bradenton, Florida, and Robert Holmbeck of Central Point; two sisters, Dottie Johnson of Grants Pass and Christine Rush of Eugene; two brothers, John Penn of Eugene and James Arling of Portland; 17 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Holmbeck.