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George Richard Holling

July 03, 1927 - December 25, 2023

George Richard Holling Obituary George �Dick� Richard Holling July 3, 1927 � December 25, 2023 Dick�s light may have dimmed, but his memory will forever shine in our hearts. George �Dick� Richard Holling age 96 of Spokane, WA joined our Lord and Savior on December 25, 2023. His journey began July 3rd, 1927, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, born to George and Verda Holling (Riley) of Rosalia, WA. First raised in Rosalia and then Spokane, Dick graduated from Lewis & Clark high school in 1945 and immediately joined the Navy. He served in Guam on the USCG USS New Bedford (PF71) as a seaman 1st class monitoring weather reports between Guam and Japan. After leaving the Navy, he attended trade school for a short time and began working for Graybar Electric in 1949. May 21, 1950, Dick joined hands and hearts with Bertha �Birdie� Stueckle at the Congregational Church in Walla Walla, WA. The sister of his cousin Jack�s young bride Lauretta, Birdie and Dick began a beautiful partnership. They moved into their brand new, 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom $7,000.00 home on the South Hill of Spokane in 1950 where they still reside today. In 1952 Dick welcomed his oldest son Darryl and then in 1956 his son Brian was born. Working and bringing home the bacon for the next 30 years, while Birdie stayed home and raised the boys, as a family they enjoyed camping and fishing trips to Priest and Pend Oreille lakes in Idaho. A dedicated outside salesman for 30 years, he retired from Graybar in 1979 and went to work for J.C. Wright Lighting Sales, Inc. Working for J.C. Wright he was able to earn several fabulous vacations that he, and Birdie, thoroughly enjoyed. Places like, Spain, Austria, Germany, and Africa. Dick spent another 5 plus years in sales and retired full time. Other travels included USS New Bedford reunions in Boston, Las Vegas, and Omaha. In 2013 Dick was privileged to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, DC along with other deserving WWII veterans. His real love, however, was Hawaii and staying weeks at a time in their timeshare. Retirement was spent continuing to serve the Lord as a member of Manito United Methodist. Dick was Chair of Trustees for many years, along with the tasks of church yardwork and general maintenance. And of course, continuing wintry drives to Pullman as a season ticket holder for Cougar basketball games, was a must. He loved his Cougs. But MORE than the Cougs, Dick loved being a Lions Club member. He had a passion for community involvement. As a member of Southeast Lions Club for years, he served as President, Secretary, and chairman for several different committees. Dick was instrumental starting a holiday US flag display program in the Manito and Lincoln Heights shopping centers. Setting up and taking the flags down each holiday as a service to businesses for a small Lions club donation. He tended to several local newspaper recycle sheds. Cleaning, emptying, and turning the newspaper in for club money. He assisted at both the Lions Club hamburger stand and information booth for the Spokane Fair, and served as a Sightlife courier, transporting sight saving eye tissue to local doctors. Dick received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award in 1995-96, and Lion of the Year in 1999 and 2004. Dick was the epitome of what a Lions Club member should be. Dick is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years, Birdie Holling, son Brian (Marla) Holling, and grand-daughter Mandy Holling (all of Spokane, WA). Daughter in law Sharon Holling, grand-daughters Julie Mitchum, and Jennifer Mitchum, and two great grandchildren, Brandon Mitchum, and Abbey Carlson (all of Post Falls, ID). Dick was preceded in death by his sister Darlene (Adkins) of Olympia, WA and loving son Darryl who passed too soon. Please join us for a celebration of Dick�s life Saturday, January 13, 2024, 2pm at Manito United Methodist on 33rd and Grand Blvd in Spokane. Followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. Pastor Sandy Ward officiating. Dress is casual, and/or family is requesting you wear your favorite sports team apparel. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Manito United Methodist Memorial Fund 3220 South Grand Blvd Spokane WA 99203 A private interment will be held at Spokane Memorial Gardens at a later date. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of George, please visit our Tree Stor

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