George Colby Obituary

George Colby attended Sunnyside High School in Sunnyside, WA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about George Colby.

Graduation Year	Class of 1963
Date of Passing	Oct 09, 2014
About	8/10/1945 - 10/9/2014 Colonial Funeral Home George Colby was born to Lee and Mary Colby of Harrah, Washington, where the family lived until 1953, when the family moved to Sunnyside, Washington. It was there that George took an interest in both vocal music and drama. He also joined the Sunnyside swim team, where he won many blue ribbons for himself and the team. While attending Central Washington State College, George met and married Mary Jane Adams, who he first met in first grade back in Harrah. After college, both taught in White Swan, Washington. George served his country in Viet Nam from 1968-1970. After returning home to White Swan, George decided to study law at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Upon graduating in 1973, George returned to the Yakima Valley where he became the first Public Defender for the Yakama Nation and then Yakama Tribal Prosecutor. George also served as District Court Judge in Yakima County. Eventually, he went into private law practice with the Adam Moore Law Firm in Yakima, Washington before eventually opening his own law practice in Toppenish in 2007 until the present. Additionally, he served as Public Defender for both Zillah and Toppenish in the lower Yakima Valley. George has also served the Yakama Nation as Treaty Attorney for the Yakima Nation Tribal Council to the present. He was deeply involved with fundraising for Heritage College and served for ten years as the chair person for the polo tournaments which were very successful in raising substantial money for the college. Recently, his favorite pastime was his boat, which provided many happy hours on Rimrock Lake with friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Adams, a sister, Mary Lee Colby and a close nephew,Cameron Hopkins, Jr., as well as countless relatives scattered around the state and country. Traditional dressing services will begin at noon on Monday at Colonial Funeral Home, viewing and Chapel services will follow. Burial will be at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, 7800 Van Belle Road in Sunnyside, at 11:00 Tuesday morning. Friends can send condolences at www.toppenishfunerals.com. Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.