George Willis Lemmon

George Willis Lemmon, 81, of Poulsbo, WA, died of natural causes on January 13th, 2021, at St Michael's Medical Center in Silverdale, WA.

George was born in Craig, Colorado on March 21, 1939, the eldest child of Willis Emerson Lemmon and Erma Elaine Beaver Lemmon. He had two sisters (Barbara Louise Lemmon (Marson)), Gladys Ann Lemmon (Passant)) and one brother (Jerry Lee Lemmon).

The family moved from Craig to Camas, Washington in 1953. George graduated from Camas High School in 1957 and went on to earn a Chemistry degree from Western Washington State College in Bellingham, Washington. While at Western, George met and married Judith Anne Solscheid. Soon after graduating in 1961, they moved to Poulsbo, Washington, with their young daughter Lou Allison. In 1964 Todd Michael was born and brought home from the hospital directly to their new house overlooking Hood Canal.

A 60-year resident of Poulsbo, George began his career in Kitsap County teaching science and chemistry and coaching track and field at Poulsbo Middle School from 1961-68. After seven years of teaching and coaching, George made a career change by acquiring a local insurance agency. He also entered an investment partnership with another local businessman and grew his insurance business and his investment portfolio substantially over his lifetime.

In addition to being a successful educator and businessman, George was a lifelong outdoorsman and much of his leisure time was spent either fishing and hunting across the Western Hemisphere. For many years he enjoyed summers fishing in Alaska and split his winters fishing in Mexico and bird hunting across the U.S., Canada, and throughout much of Argentina. When George could no longer hunt and fish himself, he loved nothing more than to make sure others were “surrogate” fishing and hunting for him in his favorite locations. He greatly enjoyed many “friends & family” reports over the years from various duck blinds, riverbanks, and, or boats.

Anyone who knew George will miss his generosity, powerful intellect, and most of all his incredible wit. He loved sharing his good fortune with others and made all in his orbit feel like part of the family. He had a celebrated gift for storytelling and was always quick to laugh even when faced with adversity. He enjoyed a long life in the embrace of a loving family and in the company of many, many dear friends. In the end, when he could not say much else, George would often repeat, “I have the best friends and family.” You all know who you are.

George is survived by his children Lou Converse and Todd Lemmon, their former spouses Fred Converse and Tina Lemmon and his grandchildren Jacob and Eli Converse, Adam Lemmon and Molly Lemmon Olson, and his sister Ann Passant.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, Washington. A service in honor of George’s life will be held in their care on March 20, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. PST and will be available on Facebook Live. (facebook.com/cookffh)

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donating to the East Cape Health Center, which serves the small Mexican town of Los Barriles that George considered his second home. The center was founded by George’s friend and longtime Baja neighbor, Charlene Wenger. The health center provides quality affordable health and dental care for the area. For more detailed information on this marvelous organization and how to make a tax-deductible donation in George’s honor, please follow this link: https://www.eastcapehealthcenter.org/how-we-help,
~OR~ contact Char directly at Charlene.Wenger@gmail.com,
Mx. 624-157-0081 U.S. 858-361-0753.