GEORGE A. GUNDLACH

George Arleigh Gundlach of Vancouver, WA, passed quietly away at home surrounded by loved ones on July 13th, 2011 after a valiant battle with cancer, his well-worn cowboy hat set neatly aside at last. He lived a full life up to the very end: laughing and visiting with family, poring over the dog-eared atlas he kept next to his chair, and puttering around his farm.
   Born to George and Frances Gundlach of Ekalaka, MT on November 7, 1934, his childhood was spent surrounded by thirteen siblings and the great outdoors. After graduating from Ekalaka High School in 1953, he attended college and served three years in the Army during the Korean War.
   He loved to tell the story of his move to the Pacific Northwest. He left Montana in an old beat up wagon with his wife and mother-in-law in the seat beside him and a half dozen kids in the back, all his possessions strapped on top and $20 in his pocket. He went quickly to work in Medford, OR and then moved to Portland when a better job came along.
   He spent 30 years as a top sales rep for Consolidated Supply Company, developing life-long friends and winning many awards and recognition in the process.

 He was a gentleman farmer, and spent many happy hours attending cattle auctions, mending fences, and meeting his cronies down at the local café to swap stories.
   He saw the changes that came to Clark County over the years and watched the building of the I-5 Battle Ground interchange near his home with special interest. He attended the ribbon cutting ceremony as a spectator and was pleased and surprised when he was invited to be the first person to walk across it.
   Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was the faithful and dedicated work he did as a father. His children honor him for his wise counsel and the sacrifices he made in raising them. George is survived by life partner Sue Dixon; daughters, Kelly McKinley of Dallas, OR, Glenda Ricks, Jill McGrath, and Shawna Haug of Vancouver, WA; sons, Rod Gundlach and Jason Gundlach of Vancouver; and step-children Jane Bleth of Monmouth, OR, Chris Dixon of Vancouver and Chelsea Dixon of Portland, OR. Graveside celebration of life will be held Thursday, July 21st at Ridgefield Cemetery.

[The Columbian, Vancouver, WA, July 19, 2011]

Grave marker for George A. Gundlach in Ridgefield Cemetery, Ridgefield (Clark county), Washington,

George served in the 508th ARCT during the Korea Conflict.