George Lucien Spirk, Jr.
Dec. 3 1912 - June 18, 2011
George Spirk was 98 ½ years old when he passed away suddenly
in Stanwood, WA. His parents met at the 1909 Alaska Yukon Pacific World's
Fair in Seattle. His father, George Spirk Sr. was originally from Davenport,
Iowa and was a promising young attorney and a 1908 Graduate of the University
of Washington Law School. George's mother, Alma B. Eichelberger was
working as a secretary and originally from Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
They were married in 1910 and George Spirk Jr. was born on Dec. 3, 1912
in Seattle. After his father's untimely death in 1928, George worked
tirelessly to support his mother and younger brother attending high
school and holding down several jobs at a time. He graduated from Lincoln
High School in Seattle in 1931 and after High School attended the University
of Washington as a Business Major.
During World War II, he worked at Boeing as a Cost Analyst and was honored
for training civilians and Coast Guard Auxiliary students at the University
of Washington on rifle & gun techniques and target shooting. He
was a long time member of the Auxiliary Rifle Corp and the Boeing Rifle
and Revolver Club and through his years of competition and teaching
won many medals and awards.
During his 8 years of employment with Boeing, George met and fell in
love with Arvona Tallman who worked there as a secretary. He left Boeing
after the War and became involved in Real Estate working for Don Kennedy.
Arvona & George married in 1950 and soon after he opened his own
Real Estate office in the Pinehurst area of North Seattle called Spirk
Realty.
George was an active member of the NEBA (North End Brokers Association)
and it was at many of these parties and functions that George enjoyed
donning a cowboy hat and western garb and would entertain by singing
and playing his Martin guitar.
George lived in North Seattle all of his life until he sold his Seattle
and Lynnwood properties and moved to Stanwood in 2005 to retire and
be closer to his daughter-Cookie. He never stopped singing and playing
the guitar, and he was still performing for audiences into the summer
of 2010 with Cookie as a duo. They appeared that year at Gerry Andal's
Restaurant and the Stanwood/Camano Fair. You can see their You Tube
Video under George & Cookie Spirk.
George's love for music and his desire to help others prompted him to
create the Northwest Music Foundation in 2005. The Foundation fosters
and encourages individuals and organizations to perpetuate the art of
original music. The Foundation has an office in Stanwood that offers
assistance in songwriting and music performance.
Besides music and real estate investment, George enjoyed horseback riding,
sailing and swimming and stayed physically active through his entire
life.
George is survived by his three daughters and their spouses - Linda
Spirk and Carl Ridley of Tucson, Az.; Laurienne & Robert Moss of
Woodway, WA. and Carol "Cookie" Spirk and Major Freeman of
Camano Island, WA. Grandchildren include: Jason Marquez, Eric Rosenwald
and Eve and Greta Moss. George has numerous step grand children and
step great grandchildren in the Stanwood/Camano area.
George Spirk founder and benefactor of the NWMF celebrates
his 97th birthday with a performance!!!
Cookie and George performing recently at the 7th St Pub in Everett,
WA
