George Kemp Sargent

George was born in Yakima on October 15, 1928, to Myrle and George Sargent, and was raised in Wapato. He attended Washington State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism. It was there that he met the love of his life, Eleanor Williams. After graduating from the university they married on March 18, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in Yakima. George and Eleanor raised a daughter and a son, Carol and Keith. George was active in church, Elks, Bridge, Tridelt, Masons, Knights of Columbus, and on scholarship committees. They both loved spending time with their children at the family cabin at Bumping Lake, visiting Eleanor’s sister Janet J. in Hawaii, and annual fall trips to Cannon Beach. Both retired from lifetime local careers, George from the Yakima Herald-Republic and Eleanor from DSHS, on the same day.

George and Eleanor made many lifelong friends with their “bridge group buddies” and upon retiring traveled the globe with this core group, being particularly fond of cruise ships. George always felt literacy was an important asset in life. He tutored adults in his working years and second graders at Gilbert and Nob Hill Elementary Schools. George was tragically widowed in June 2002, after 52 years of marriage to Eleanor. As George moved forward in life, he met Anita Brown on a senior adventure in California. Having been recently widowed, and seeing George grieving, Anita made it her mission to cheer him up on their trip. Becoming good travel friends they continued the adventure while slowly falling in love again. George and Anita were married at Holy Family Catholic Church on November 13, 2004.

George and Anita continued to travel extensively. They shared many trips with their children and grandchildren. George enjoyed family bonding and getting to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow while encouraging them to get a good education.

George is preceded in death by Eleanor Sargent, and is survived by his wife Anita Sargent, son Keith Sargent (Cindy), daughter Carol Thome (Darrell), step daughters Nancy Spracher, Linda Atwood and Crete Brown, grandchildren Lacey Sargent, Elizabeth Bernier and Bryce Sargent, and great grandchildren Rhya Leist and Ellie Sargent.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service starting at 7:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

A Memorial Mass will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 24th at Holy Family Catholic Church.

To share a memory of George, visit www.keithandkeith.com.