George was an only child born June 10, 1925 in Portland, Oregon to George K. Armen Sr. MD and Louise Saur Armen, both immigrants from Armenia and Germany respectively. His dad was a doctor in Portland and his mother a homemaker. They lived in the Rose City and Parkrose neighborhoods all of their lives.
He attended Gregory Heights Elementary as a child and graduated from Grant High School in 1943.
George studied medicine at Willamette University and dentistry at the University of Oregon Dental School. He graduated from dental school in 1955. He practiced dentistry for one and a half years and Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton before opening private practice in Portland. He practiced dentistry in Portland for thirty years until his retirement in 1986.
In 1942, he met Jeanne Clark Huffman (1926-2018), the love of his life. In 1948 they married and remained married for over 70 years. They raised three children and are survived by Gorjean K. Armen (born 1950), and George Bradley Armen (born 1955). Pamela Jean Armen, his middle daughter, passed away in 2002 (born 1952). Additionally, George is survived by three grandchildren: Dr. Roger Scott Armen, Eli Armen-Van Horn, and Audra Rose Kuh, plus 2 great-grandchildren: Reese and Charlee Kuh.
George Armen joined the Navy in 1943. He served three years of active duty during WWII primarily in the Pacific Theater. He was a pharmacy mate assigned to the hospital ship 'Good Samaritan'. The Good Samarian participated in active duty including: Guam, the Marians'. Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
George was discharged from active duty in 1946, and thus began a 43 year career in the Navy Reserve. He advanced to the rank of Captain, and retired in 1985. During his career as a Navy Reserve officer his accomplishments were many; he was on the chief of Navy Reserves' staff as the ranking officer in charge of Navy Reserve dentists. He wrote numerous papers and directives that helped bring the dentists of the Navy and Marine Corp to the level of combat readiness. George gave his personal time and resources to improve the Navy. This led to better care of the enlisted men of both the Navy and the Marine Corps.
George Armen was an Eagle Scout, with six palms, and a Quartermaster in the Sea Scouts. As a Boy Scout he earned the Viet Consilio award. This is given to the top scout during summer camp at Camp Meriwether. He later became a member of the camp staff spending summers mentoring new scouts.
As an adult leader he received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service to the Boy Scouts of America. During his years of dedication to scouting he helped thirty-six scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout, including his two grandsons. His knowledge, organizational skills, and leadership helped Troop 606 earn the top Troop award for many years. He wrote a paper titled 'Trail of the Eagle', the guide for First Class scouts on how to navigate their way to Eagle Scout. This guide became a helpful tool for scout leaders throughout the Council.
George also organized a group of adult leaders from Troop 606 into the Schooner Patrol, dedicated to helping our community and service to others. The patrol was recognized by the Cascade Pacific Council with their name on a plaque in the dining hall at Camp Meriwether.
George will be remembered as a great leader and person expecting and getting the very best from those who knew him. He is buried at Lincoln Memorial Park next to his wife and daughter. We will miss you, George.
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