George Van Dorn Whitlock was born Sept. 11, 1932, in Holtville, California, and joined the U.S. Navy in 1950 at 17 years old. He served in both Korea and Vietnam and was active duty on AVM1 (Guided Missile Test) Norton Sound; CVAs Valley Forge, Philippine Sea and Princeton; DEs (destroyer escorts) Charles E. Brannon and Gilligan; AN20 Elder; DDs Walke, Cogswell and Hull; AGSSs (submarines) Baya and Raton; as well as serving on bases NAS North Island (San Diego) and NAS Lemoore, California.
He proudly served until 1973 when he retired as chief petty officer. Later that year, he and his family moved to Centralia, Washington, where he worked in real estate for a short time before serving and retiring from NW Laborers Union No. 252.
He was an active member for many years of the Fleet Reserve Association, the American Legion, the Chehalis Eagles and the Chehalis Moose Lodge. Over the years, he held various leadership roles within these organizations and shared lifelong friendships.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Doreen Whitlock; his son, George (and Ursela) Whitlock of Coos Bay, Oregon; two daughters, LaRae (and Paul) Pieroni of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Robin (and Leland) Kover of Guyton, Georgia; and a sister, Roxanne Buzby (and Robert “Robbie”) of Bakersfield, California. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
His life will be celebrated at the Centralia American Legion on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 2 to 4 p.m.
