George Alphonse Temme Jr.

March 31, 1946 ~ September 26, 2023

George Alphonse Temme Jr. was born on March 31, 1946, in Vancouver, Washington, and passed on to heaven on September 26, 2023, in Vancouver. George was the first born child of George and Julia (Kapitanovich) Temme. George attended several schools while Dad worked construction before starting school at St. Joseph's Catholic School in Vancouver where he graduated from the 8th grade. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon, in 1964 and attended the University of Portland for two years before joining the Army in 1966. George served one year in Vietnam with the 1st Air Cavalry 1st Brigade and ended his service time in Germany. While in Germany, George took the opportunity to travel around Europe. He eventually traveled to at least 45 countries, including around the world thru Russia and China. He preferred Russian food (lots of meat and spuds) over Chinese food (rice and watery vegetables).

George was a proud member of U.A. Local No. 290 Plumber, Steamfitter & Shipfitters union. He received his 50 year lifetime pin earlier this year. George loved to dance! Over the years he was a member of several square dancing and round dancing groups. (If you ever danced with George, you were happy to dance with him again.) He was also a long-time member of Toastmasters International and the Portland Skyliners Tall Club. He was Mr. Tall Portland in 1991. In the last several years, George joined other Vietnam Vets of the Columbia/Willamette Chapter of the 1st Air Cavalry at their monthly lunches and other activities. They were a great support to him, as only other veterans can be for each other. We are very grateful for their friendship with our brother.

George was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, brother John, nephew Ramon, grandnieces Haley and Koda Mettler, great-grandniece Tayzia Johnson, several cousins and all of his aunts and uncles. He is survived by siblings: Stephen/Steve (Barbara) Temme, Anita Temme, Julie (John) Mettler, and Gregory/Pete (Tanya) Temme; nieces Jorja Blake, Brenda Trent and Katie Mettler; nephews Ben, William, and Gabriel Temme, Barry and Brian Johnson, and Nick Mettler; and 16 grandnieces and grandnephews, and numerous cousins.

A funeral Mass will be held for George on Thursday, October 5th, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver, WA 98661, with a reception lunch to follow.

The Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. Following the luncheon, burial will at Mother Joseph Cemetery, 1401 E. 29th Street, Vancouver, WA 98663.

Donations in George's memory may be made in his name to the George and Julia Temme Endowed Scholarship at Central Catholic High School, 2401 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214, or to the America Diabetes Association.