George Betts Calder

George Calder passed away peacefully with his family gathered around and resting under his favorite U of O Ducks blanket Sunday the 26th of December. The Calder family were early Oregon pioneers moving to the Baker City area in the 1800's. But George's father sought his future elsewhere finally moving to Portland in the 1930's. Though the family struggled, he remembered a happy childhood playing with his brother Mark and his two sisters Jeanne and Cleo in Portland's Franklin neighborhood. George graduated from Franklin High School in 1944 and went into the Army Air Corp, too late to see any combat. After his discharge, he attended the University of Oregon. Even so, he was soon needed back at his father's business Lake Chevrolet and his long career in the car business began. His humor and love of people made him a natural at sales and management. He married Gail Hendrickson and began life as a dad. He left his father's dealership and eventually settled in Beaverton where all four children, Cheryl, Mike, Tom and Caren graduated from Beaverton high school. In his over 60 years in the business it seemed like there were few people in Portland, he hadn't sold a car to. He sold his last car only weeks ago. Nevertheless, his favorite job was playing with his grandchildren. When he was with them, you would always hear them laughing. He and his second wife, Jean Miller from St. Helens traveled across the world together and were staunch duck supporters and rarely missed a football game. After Jean passed away, he continued to go to the games until he could no longer make the trips to Eugene. The one deal he failed to close was the one that would have allowed him to live past January 10th, so he could watch his beloved Ducks play for the national championship. George is survived by two sisters Cleo Mongomery and Jeanne Shirts, his two sons Mike and Tom Calder and his step children Alison Schoepp, Ann Burger, and Bob Burger. He also has 10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Service

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
17140 S.W. Bany Rd
Aloha , OR US 97007
Saturday, January 8, 2011, 11:00 AM

Cemetery

Pending

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