George B. Kropp

George said he was visited by an Angel who told him that he would be welcome there, and he passed away shortly after on July 8. Born in Powell, WY on Aug. 17, 1935, he was the oldest child of Joe and Alberta Kropp. The family moved to a farm in Otis Orchards, WA in 1940 where he learned to drive a tractor at the age of 5. When not farming or working, he participated in band, baseball, basketball, football and graduated from Otis Orchards High School in 1954. George joined the Naval Air Reserve, attended WSU, opened a gas station where the current Otis Grill is, and worked as a crane operator at Kaiser. George and his “steady” girlfriend, Milly, became engaged and married after her graduation on Aug. 25, 1955. Besides his Reserve Duty, George logged, made fence posts and drove a stock car sponsored by Shelley’s Repair. In 1958, the Naval Air Base closed and the family transferred to Los Alamitos, CA. By 1960, there were 4 children, Kerry, Sherry, Bob and Terry, and after George’s discharge, they remained in Southern California and lived in Huntington Beach for 14 years. At the same time, George became involved in trucking and started his own Air Freight business. When he wasn’t working, George enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, dirt bike riding, attending Dodger, Rams and Angels games and coaching Little League. He had a strong work ethic and always treated others fairly and honestly. The family moved back to Otis Orchards in 1974 where George drove a school bus, worked in an auto repair shop, helped his dad farm and started another Air Freight business which he sold in 1999. George never stopped farming and he loved doing things for others. He could be seen plowing snow or mowing fields all around the community. If you needed advice or help, he was always there. He had a passion for Fords, rebuilt a ’35 Ford and loved to make useful items out of old equipment. George deeply loved his family and supported all of Milly’s endeavors. His last words to her were, “No worries, everything will be fine” and that he loved her more than she would ever know. He was a fan of the Seahawks and watched every Mariners game during his long hospital stay. He was always helping behind the scenes and will be remembered as a kind and loving man with a big heart. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Len and sister, Joanne and is survived by children, Kerry and Ken Cox, Sherry Kropp, Robert and Tammy Kropp, and Terry and Kip Altman; their daughters, Taylor and Kendy; grandchildren, Chris and Laura Cox and their daughters, Quinn and Evan; Amanda (Cox) and David Stratton and their sons, Halen and Radley; Jarod Kropp and his children, Annabella, Robert and Elyssia; Lindsey (Kropp) and Joe Shaffer and their sons, Grayson and Declan; nephews, Spike Russell, TD Mayer, Kirk Mayer and their children; nieces; Teri Bronson, Traci Smith, Karen Landis, Kathy Blacker, Kristi Kropp, Robin Kropp, their spouses and children and way too many friends to count. He served on the board for Consolidated Irrigation, belonged to The Nat’l League of Postmaster’s Auxiliary and the Navy Seabee Veterans of America. A Memorial Service will be held at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA on Saturday July 19 at 10:00 AM with light refreshments being served afterwards and time for visiting. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Children’s Diabetes, Otis Orchards Community Church or the Union Gospel Mission.