Vernon George Castle
February 14, 1920 - January 31, 2011
Obituary
George Castle, a longtime resident of Mercer Island, WA, left us to join his beloved wife on January 31, 2011 at age 90 – just two weeks shy of his 91st birthday.
George was born on February 14, 1920 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Vern and Ruth Castle. He attended school in Fort Wayne, graduating from South Side High School. He went on to attend the University of Michigan where he met the love of his life and future wife, Virginia.
George joined the Navy at the beginning of WWII where he learned to fly. During the war he was not only a flight instructor but flew cargo in the North Atlantic as well as from Seattle to Alaska. He returned to school after the war but was lured west to Boise, Idaho to fly for a small airline some of his friends were starting. He intended to stay just for the summer and return to Michigan to begin medical school, however, once there, he couldn’t believe you could have so much fun AND get paid for it. He never returned to medical school and the rest is history. During his career he flew for Empire, West Coast and Hughes Airwest Airlines, retiring in 1980.
His airline career moved the family to Spokane where he learned to ski and spent summers at Priest Lake in Idaho. They moved to Mercer Island in 1960 and cemented his love of skiing at Crystal Mountain and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Area.
After retirement George and Ginny spent their winters at Schweitzer where he was one of the founders of the Prime Timers Ski Club. He skied into his early 80’s and loved the mountain and all of his wonderful friends there. For all of you skiers out there, remember that any sunny day on the slopes is what he called a “GLORIOSKI” kind of day.
George loved life and all the joys it had to give. His family, friends, travel, woodworking, skiing, practical jokes and his strong faith gave him much joy in life. He loved people and made a new friend every time he walked out the door.
George is survived by his children, Marti Castle-Bickford Willard, Christina Eng Hunter, George Pam Gunther, Tom Mary Goodfellow, and Libby Wotipka Dick, his sister Ruthie Groves of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and grandchildren Brandy Castle, Laura, Elissa and Wylie Eng, Jake, Nick and Matthew Wotipka and Cordelia Bickford.
When people would tell George to have ‘ a nice day’, his reply was always ‘you have a nice forever’. And we know he is doing just that.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 4 at 1:00pm at the Mercer Island Covenant Church on Mercer Island with a reception following.
a great pilot and a terrific guy.
wE HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES OF gEORGE. hE ENRICHED OUR LIVES SO VERY MUCH.
You are now with Virginia skiing all that endless * Celestial Powder*. What an honor to have known you and your family all these years. Everytime we pass your Schweitzer home we think of you. May Gods Love, Strength and Understanding be with your family during this sad time. We can see the smile on your face and hear you say *Man, it is WUNERFUL up here*
Cptain Woderful and I spent many hours together with visits to Idaho City and visits with Vera June, Alex Agria and so many people he loved and helped,Heaven Will Be Rewarded To Have HIM!!!
George was definitely a ONE-OF-A-KIND of person. Everyone should have a George Castle in their life. He was a friend that we will always remember and cherish the memories. I would like to thank the Castle family for sharing him with us and for being there when he needed you—Ron & Jan Roberts
Our condolences to the Castle family for the loss of George. Mr wunnerful was just that. We will never forget his humor, helping ways and constant smile. He was truely one of a kind and will never be forgotten.
dear family, your dad & mine George Smylie& my mom Mabel were best friends & your dad gave me away at my wedding to Jim decker- we have been married 46 years. I have just had a knee replacement so cannot come today so sorry. Georgie we still call marshmallows “hotchmeadows” cause that is what u called them at Priest Lake! We loved both your mom & dad & hope u r doing well! Come and us on bainbridge island anytime. Our son George carries on the “George ” tradition! Our love & best tarry,jim,Anne,George & Mary decker
Two memories stand out…George trudging across the snow from a DC3 complete with furlined boots at GEG sometime early 60’s…and George carrying our 3 yr old son down the DC9 stairway with george’s cap on his head. Simple things but George had a way of touching people. Our prayers and best wishes to the family and I’m sure he’ll give a ration to all the guys in chicago.
To the Castle family, we are so sorry for your loss. We were fortunate to move into the house next door to George and Virginia just after we were married many years ago. It was as if we had an instant family. Both were so kind, and giving… Truly the best neighbors anyone could hope for. Our thoughts are with you. We know for sure George is with Virginia now, flying somewhere beautiful to ski together.
“Captain Wonderful”. You truly love life. I’ve worked with you through out the Northwest since 1956. We have very fond memories of you and your humor. Our family will miss you dearly.
Charles & Beverly Coe & “twins” Monty & Linda now adults with children and grandchildren of their own.
Hold on to what is good,
Even if it is a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it is a tree which stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it is a long way from here.
Hold on to life,
Even when it is easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even when I have gone away.
Pueblo Blessing
Catch up with ya later George.
Well Castle family…. My dad thought your DAD hung the moon…. my father was a lonely maintenence supervisor in LAS. LAX.. and knew Capt’n for many years..We only knew fresh Salmon because of Captain George..I was supposed to have lunch with him 1st week of March. P.S .I rode Jump Seat cockpit, twice because of him. What an incredible memory.
Great Life
GREAT MAN
What can I say that has not already been said about Captain Vernon G. “Wunerful” Castle. I was age 30 when I joined in his retirement celebration so many years ago. Now I am 61, kind of old for a Belly Dancer, but with George’s encouragement, I keep going with a great deal more skin covered now. And with a great deal of gray hair. Love to all the Castle kids: Marta, George, Thomas, Christina, Libby and their families.
Dear Castle Family I am so sorry for your lost. George was such a wonderful man and so enjoyed life, He always had a kind word for everyone he met and saw the bright side in every situation. I will always be grateful to he and Virginia for their love and support in our long ordeal when we adopted our daughter. He told me once that of all the things he ever did in his life, his children were the one thing he was most proud of and to hang in there because all our heartache would melt away as soon as she was in our arms. Thank you, George You were right. Rest in Peace.
Today is a sad day with the passing of Capt. George Castle.
I flew with Skip as a Flight Attendant and as a copilot. Every minute was a pleasure and a riot.
Another of the good ones is gone.
SpenceChuck Wessling
PS- I called him Skip and he called me Chuck,from McHales Navy.
Thank You for your valued wisdom
and friendship. The Ingle family
will miss you. Ray
I flew with George with West Coast Airlines in the 50’s, super great guy and a fine pilot. He would let me fly from PDX to Yakima after dark, I proudly say that the first plane I flew had passengers on board
Gary Weathers
New Albany, Ms