George Edwin Holder

George Edwin Holder, 89, went home to be with the Lord on October 20, 2013. George was born to William Stephen and Mary Elizabeth (Hopkins) Holder in Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada, on October 31st, 1923. George moved with his parents to Spokane in 1927, and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School. George enlisted in the Royal Air Force in 1943. He served as an RAF pilot in Canada, England, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia for four years during World War II and was discharged with the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He returned safely home and married his long-time fiancée, Lorene Roloff, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spokane, Washington on May 14, 1947. They had two children, Gordon E. Holder and Nancy M. Holder.

George worked as a master mechanic for Buchanan Chevrolet, Intermountain Equipment Company and the Max J. Kuney Company, from which he retired in 1984, after 27 years of service. He was a member of I.U.O.E. Local 370 since 1962, and a member of Opportunity Presbyterian Church since 1954. Lorene and George lived in the Spokane Valley since 1952. Together they built and enjoyed a lake cabin for 30 years at Windy Bay on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. After retirement, George became very involved with the Barons Model Airplane club, serving in various offices and building many radio-controlled model airplanes.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lorene, his daughter Nancy, and his parents, William S. Holder and Mary Elizabeth Hopkins Holder. He is survived by son Gordon (Sandy) of Auburn; grandson Erik Holder (Stacie) and great-granddaughter Ryan of Bonnie Lake; grandson Grant Holder (Claire) and great-granddaughters Karlee and Addison of Enumclaw, and step-grandsons Paul Hanseling (Erin) of Lakewood and Kyle Hanseling of Federal Way. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Norman Roloff (June) of Cheney, and sister-in-law Joanne Moore of Anacortes. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sullivan Park Assisted Living Community and Care Center. The funeral Service will be held Saturday Oct. 26th, 2013 at 11:00am at Opportunity Presbyterian Church 202 N. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley. Interment will follow at Pines Cemetery.