Obituary of George Erwin Bocek

George Erwin Bocek “Bud”, 92, of Puyallup, Washington, went to be with his Savior and Lord, after having passed away on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 3:00 pm, joining his wife Leota who preceded him in death exactly 22 years earlier – on August 2, 1990. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Williamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mountain Scott Blvd, Portland, Oregon with the National Guard performing full military honors. Bud, as he was known to his friends and family, was born October 7, 1919, in Bellingham Washington to George Bocek Sr. and Anna Marie Panek Bocek. As a young child he lived with his folks in a logging camp in Monroe Washington than moved to Aberdeen Washington with his family where he graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1937. He served in the US Army at Fort Lewis Washington in 1944 and1945. Upon discharge from the service, he worked various jobs settling into Retail Clothing and Shoes Sales in Olympia Washington at Mottman’s Department Store in 1948 where he met his wife Leota Osgood. During his lifetime he resided with his family in Olympia, Tacoma, and Seattle, Washington as well as Idaho before settling in Salem, Oregon where he lived for over 35 years before moving back to Washington to live with his daughter. He loved to draw and create interesting sculptures. He had a heart for children and animals and never failed to remember his children and grandchildren’s birthdays. He loved to dance, and fondly reminisced about his days on the Mickey Mouse Club where he tap-danced. He always had a way to make others smile. He is survived by his daughters: Pamela Mottram (Roy) of Puyallup, WA and Georgia Sales of Spokane, WA; Grandaughters: Pamela Joy Black (Steven), Evonne Gloria Corona, Nicole Parker (Jonathan), and Sabrina Lackey (Jeffrey) and Grandson Stephen Sales, along with 7 great- grandchildren and 2 great-great granddaughters. The family wishes to thank the staff of Linden Grove Assisted Living Facility in Puyallup, WA for their kind attention to his needs in the latter days of his life and especially to Rachel, the nurse who was with our father and grandfather, holding his hands gently reassuring him, when he took his last breath.