George Furman Snelson, 91

George Furman Snelson of Poulsbo died March 26, 2005 in Poulsbo. He was 91.

Snelson was born to Furman and Alda Snelson in Bremerton on Aug. 9, 1913.

He married Phyllis Underwood in 1934.

Snelson graduated from Arlington High School and attended Washington State University.

He worked at JC Penney’s in Oregon and Tacoma before moving to Poulsbo in 1951 and opening Snelson’s Department Store.

Snelson was a founding member of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and served as its president in 1960 and was named Person of the Year in 1964. He also helped found the Miss Poulsbo Pageant in 1954. He was an active member in Lions both in Poulsbo and Arizona. In Poulsbo, he helped create Lions Park and served as club president in 1955. He was recently given the Lifetime Membership Award from the Poulsbo Noon Lions.

He also enjoyed traveling with the Airstream Trailer Club and on his boats the “Phyllis” and the “Lynda.” He was active in the Poulsbo Yacht Club and served as its commodore in 1967.

Snelson is survived by his son Mike Snelson of Poulsbo and Larry “Butch” Snelson of Port Orchard; daughter Lynda (Bruce) Nilsen of Poulsbo; former daughter in-law Judy Snelson of Silverdale; brother Charles Snelson of Renton; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

A celebration of his life will be held at 5 p.m. April 11 at the Poulsbo Yacht Club. His ashes will be scattered on Liberty Bay in the place he loved for so many years.

Memorial donations can be sent to Martha & Mary, P.O. Box 127, Poulsbo, WA 98370.