Obituary of George Ghosn Ghosn

George Ghosn Ghosn, 83, passed away on August 5th, 2023 following a brief battle with cancer. He was at home in Tacoma, WA surrounded by his wife and children.

George was born on August 13th, 1939 in Chehalis, WA to parents Ghosn and Marie who were originally from Lebanon. He was the fourth of five children. He grew up in Mossyrock, WA where he and his siblings kept busy working in the family’s cannery, movie theater, hotel, and grocery store. George graduated from Mossyrock High School in 1957 where he played in the high school band, had an infamous line in a high school play, and lettered in track, basketball, and football.

George graduated from the University of Washington Dental School in 1964. Afterwards, he married Marcia and they moved to Columbus, Georgia where he served as a captain in the U.S. Army and was a dentist stationed at Fort Benning for two years during the Vietnam War. Upon completing his military service, they returned to Washington and George taught at the UW Dental School.

George opened his dental practice in downtown Puyallup, two blocks from the Puyallup Fair. One of his first patients was a man who had a mishap firing a cannon during the fair. He spent 50 years as a dentist, building a thriving and successful dental practice and a career that he truly loved. He was widely known for his excellent dentistry and gentle and compassionate patient care. He was a longtime member, and for a time president, of the Hampson-Ferrier Gold Foil Study Club. He served as President of the Washington State Academy of General Dentistry from 1985 to 1986, and was on the National Committee for the Academy of General Dentistry from 1986 to 1990.

George and Marcia were married for twenty-eight years and raised five daughters together. He loved being a Dad – going on family vacations, fostering a strong work ethic and strong faith in God, having fun, and encouraging his children’s interests, growth and independence.

He lived an industrious life and was rarely idle. Aside from his dental practice he grew a large vegetable garden each year and for a time grew and harvested an acre of raspberries. He enjoyed spending time at his beach cabin. His love of travel took him to over 50 countries and he achieved a life goal of visiting all seven continents. He enjoyed decades of yearly fishing trips to Alaska with his brother Paul and others.

In 2008 he married Karolyn and they spent many wonderful years together traveling the world, living part-time in Kona, Hawaii, and being at home in Puyallup among family and friends.

George loved and cared about people. He continued to make new friends and keep old friends throughout his life. He was devoted to his family, his Catholic faith, and his community. His kindness, generosity, warm smile and conversation will be remembered and missed by so many.

George is survived by his wife Karolyn, his daughters Anne Marie, Jana (Mike) Williams, Luanne (Kevin) Morehart, Mary Ann, and Sara; his grandchildren Sam, Brooke, Matthew, and Andrew; his brother Paul and sister Therese Warrick; his step-children Brian (Nicole) Beavers, Aarin Beavers, and Tressa (Jeff) Dade; 10 step grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Frank and Michel.

A funeral mass will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 503 3rd St SW, Puyallup, WA 98371 at 11:00 am on October 14th.