George Ellis Woolley, born Aug 25, 1935 in Portland OR, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Town and Country Senior Residential Community in Santa Ana, CA. George was lovingly known as Dad to his 6 children, Papa to his 14 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.  Born to George Everett and Esther Barnett Fowler Woolley, he had one loving sister, Myllie Jo Finley, deceased.

As a teenager, he worked part-time at a bakery where he learned to make and bake pie shells, cakes, and breads.  He later enlisted in the Air National Guard of Oregon in 1953 and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant using his much-appreciated baking skills.  He was honorably discharged in November 1961.

In 1958, George earned his B.A. in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College.  He became a Caseworker in both Umatilla and Clackamas County Welfare Offices.  In 1963 George moved his wife and newborn son Claude to Los Angeles where he earned his Masters of Social Welfare degree from UCLA in 1965.  In 1966 they moved to Fountain Valley where their daughter Michelle was born.  They found the weather there to be very much to their liking and George said if he had returned to Oregon, he would have rusted.

For over 33 years, George was employed in various areas of Social Services:  Public Services, Adoptions, Foster Care, Big Brothers of OC, Probate and Nursing Home Placement.  When he retired, the staff described him as a man with a cheery disposition and bright smile.  He often brought sunshine and 'corny jokes' into the everyday lives of staff and residents alike.  He truly loved helping those in need.

In 1982 George met Lillian Floyd at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach where they married in June 1983.  They became a ready-made family of six children:  Claude and Michelle Woolley, Rik, Byron, Brent Floyd and Kimberli Jensen.

He possessed a curious mind and read the National Geographic and similar publications from cover-to-cover.  He loved nothing more than spending time with the family, children, and grandchildren, never missing a dinner or social gathering.  He was an avid woodcarver, a great listener, loving and caring husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  George was always ready for a road trip, impromptu adventures, or a walk around Balboa Island   He was known as the family "holistic healer" and willingly shared his philosophical advice about natural remedies.

George was a devoted Christian who spent many hours studying his Bible; he entrusted his heart and soul to Jesus Christ.  He always ended his prayer thanking the Lord for his "Family, Friends, Church, and Country".

Memorial service and reception will be held at McCormick & Son Mortuaries, 25002 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA, Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.