George John Stimac
April 22, 1930 - August 30, 2011
Obituary
George John Stimac beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away peacefully at his home on August 30th, 2011.
He was born in Ronald, Washington on April 22nd, 1930. He graduated from Cle Elum highschool in 1948 with a track scholarship to WSU in Pullman, Washington. In April 1951 he was the third man on the four man relay track team which competed in the Drake Relays in DesMoines, Iowa. His team took first place in the two mile relay setting a national record that shattered the previous record by Drake University ten years earlier. During his highschool and college years he set many track records.
In June 1953 he graduated from WSU College of Pharmacy. He was immediately drafted into the army for the Korean conflict. Upon his discharge in May 1955 his pharmacy career began. He came to Ballard working for Art Olson Pharmacy.
In 1959 he married a Ballard gal, Beverly Olson. They had three children. Beverly passed away in July 1989.
He purchased Market Street Pharmacy and had a thriving business there for over 38 years.
In August 1996 he married Evelynn Cava. Together they purchased Olson Plaza Pharmacy renaming it Ballard Plaza Pharmacy and added compounding medicine. Ballard Plaza was sold to the Smith family. George was a well-known, loved and respected Ballard pharmacist for over 55 years.
During his business career he was recognized as Ballard Business Person of the Year 1995. He was a board member at Swedish Hospital, member of the Washington State Pharmacy Association, member of the Ballard Elks #827, member of the WSU Gray ‘W’ Varsity Club, and member of the American Legion Post #1.
Since high school and college George constantly exercised. He said this was his way of growing old gracefully and working out slowed down the aging process. At the age of 69 he won first place in the National Bench Press, benching 220 lbs. in his age bracket. From here he entered and continued to win several trophies and plaques in weight lifting.
He and his wife enjoyed golfing, traveling and especially watching the grandchildren’s many sporting events.
He is survived by his wife, Evelynn; children, son John, daughter Susan John Verduin, son Vincent Lorre; grandchildren Vincent and Zachary Stimac, John and Beverly Verduin; sisters Katherine Collier, Chris Stenson and Polly Grebel, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday September 6th, 1 pm at United Evangelical Free Church, 1420 NW 80th Street, Ballard, Washington followed by graveside services at Evergreen Washelli. There will be a reception at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club, 6413 Seaview Ave NW Seattle, WA from 3:30 to 6 pm.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the WSU Athletic Fund – Track, PO Box 641602, Pullman WA 99164 or Ballard High School Athletic Booster Club, PO Box 70426 Seattle, WA 98127.
Special thanks to his care givers, Vangie, Femmy, Phoebe, and Sheila.
What a nice friendly man. I will miss his smile. Served several years with George on the Ballard Hospital Board. He was always a pleasure to be around with his great sense of humor and laugh.