May 09, 1929 - November 20, 2012
HANKE, George George Hanke (83) entered into rest on November 20, 2012 after a long journey with Parkinsonâ??s disease. He was born in Spokane, WA on May 9, 1929 at Deaconess Hospital to Elmer V. and Ida (Rostad) Hanke. He attended Jefferson Elementary and graduated from Lewis and Clark High School of Spokane, WA. George served in the United States Marine Corp in Korea, attaining the rank of sergeant. He was called to active duty on March 11, 1949 and served through February 19, 1952. He worked as a professional truck driver for Wallace Colville Trucking Company of Spokane until his retirement. He was introduced to Jacqueline Joy Gay through his cousin, Andrea Holman. Jackie lived in Seattle, and George in Spokane, so they met many times about halfway, in Vantage during their courtship. They were married on July 4, 1970 in Bellevue, WA. After Jackie joined him in retirement, they did a great deal of traveling together taking trips to China, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and almost every state in the U.S. in their fifth wheel travel trailer. They enjoyed many family reunions in La Pine, OR. During these years they also hosted many foreign exchange students in their home. In later years they liked to spend summers in Spokane and head for Mesa, AZ in the winter. True snowbirds. George loved wildlife and kept many a squirrel fat and happy with peanuts. They came right up to him without fear. He enjoyed collecting old bottles, many small liquor bottles from his world travels and had a great love for antique automobiles. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Grace Edwards and his wife, Jackie. He is survived by his brother, Tom Hanke of Medford, OR; three sons, Jim (Teresa) Gay, Dean (Dana) Gay and Bob (Gayle) Gay, nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. George was a wonderful husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. We will all miss his dry wit and unique sense of humor. The family expresses great appreciation to the caring people at Family First Senior Care and Hospice of Spokane
