Harry George

Harry George, was born in 1923, in Seattle, the first child of two Greek immigrants. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941 and afterward enrolled at the University of Washington where he also enlisted in the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program. After graduating in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, he attended midshipman school in New York and was appointed as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. In the aftermath of World War II, he returned to civilian life, and re-enrolled at the University of Washington earning a second degree in Pharmacy.

In 1950, he married Mary Courounes. They bought a home in the Greenwood district of north Seattle where they resided for 32 years and raised 3 sons. He was dedicated to his family and stressed the importance of education and moral living to his sons. He initially worked as a chemical engineer for Boeing, developing new fuels for airplanes. He subsequently worked as a pharmacist for Kelly-Ross in downtown Seattle and later spent 25 years working for Group Health Cooperative, mostly at the Northgate clinic, before retiring in 1986.

He cherished education, loved books, and was a “lifelong student.” Gifted in math and science, he had an extraordinary ability to stay focused and disciplined in solving complex problems – he simply wouldn’t put the book down until he solved the problem.

After retirement, he studied History at Shoreline community college. During this time, he also began writing a personal family history. Immensely proud of his Greek ethnic heritage, his trips Greece in 1995 and 1998 were the thrill of a lifetime.

Harry was deeply religious and very proud of his Greek Orthodox Christian faith, serving as a Sunday school teacher and on the Parish Council of St. Demetrios Orthodox Church. For family members, co-workers, and friends, he exemplified honesty, fairness, kindness, compassion, generosity, and perseverance. His world view was simple: follow the Ten Commandments, obey the Golden Rule, set goals, work hard, and never give up.

For the last decade of his life, Harry suffered from dementia yet still exuded graciousness and kindness. Friends and family members were astonished at his resiliency.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents (George and Angelike), sister Betty, and second son Geoffry. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Mary, 2 sons (Nicholas and Evan), 4 grandchildren (Christopher, Lauren, Nick, Jim) and 4 great grandchildren.