George Edward Proft, 94.9583 years old and a resident of Western Washington, died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Normandy Park, Wash., on July 10, 2019.

George was born on July 19, 1924, in Merrill, Wis. to (Ann) Virginia Low Proft and (Peter) Paul Proft. He attended Milwaukee public schools and then joined the U.S. Navy, serving on an LST in the South Pacific during World War II. On Aug. 23, 1945, he married Audrey Joy Joers at Saint Boniface Church in Milwaukee, Wis.

The couple resided in Milwaukee for 23 years moving then to Edmonds, Wash., Huntington Station, N.Y., Kirkland, Wash., Coupeville, Wash., and, finally, Normandy Park, Wash. George worked as an electrical technician for General Motors and helped with the development of gyroscopes and avionics eventually taking Apollo 11 to the moon. He was a member of the board of the Whidbey Whirlers, the Fidalgo Fog-Cutters, and Samena Squares. In addition to square dancing, he also spent happy years as a Boy Scout troop master and a board member for the Milwaukee Family Campers. During his time with these organizations he became friends with many.

He had four children: eldest son, Edward Charles Proft and wife Lawana, of Elephant Butte N.M.; youngest son, Gerald Paul Proft and wife Gail, of Milwaukee, Wis.; eldest daughter, Mary Virginia (Heaney) Wallace and husband Steve, of Burien, Wash.; and youngest daughter, Barbara Ann Post and husband Daniel, of San Antonio, Texas.

In addition, he was very proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was always ready to share a smile, a story, a joke or a comforting hug. He will be missed.

A celebration of life, with full military honors, was held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 17. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society. While he did not suffer from cancer, his beloved wife, Audrey, and his youngest son, Jerry, did.