Longtime industry member and SAF volunteer leader George Boulton of Flowers by George Inc. in Arlington, Washington, died March 18.
A longtime industry member and former Society of American Florists volunteer leader died March 18 from complications of myelodysplastic syndrome, cancer of the bone marrow.
George Boulton of Flowers by George Inc. in Arlington, Washington, was born May 1, 1936 in Silt, Colorado to Owen and Margaret Boulton, in their home on a large cattle ranch.
He began his career as a florist after graduating from Colorado State University in 1958. For 10 years, he was employed by Swanson’s Land of Flowers in Seattle, before purchasing his own shop in Arlington in 1968. Boulton was a leader in many industry associations, including SAF, the Floral Association Executives Council and the Northwest Florists’ Association, for which he served 13 years as executive secretary.
Boulton was also beloved within his local community. He served in multiple capacities for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club of Arlington, and a number of advisory committees for the City of Arlington. He also was a charter member of Arlington Dollars for Scholars, as well as the former Arlington Business and Community Development Organization.
Financial Advisor John Meno told The Arlington Times Boulton was one of the first people to welcome him to the area when he opened his office 20 years ago.
“He wanted downtown to be vibrant and I was inspired by his energy and enthusiasm,” Meno said. “George was involved with everything and had a tremendous influence on me by encouraging me to get involved as well. He made me want to be a better community member by giving back with energy, time and money. I already miss him … Communities don’t have many George Boultons, and Arlington was blessed to have him while we could.”
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Annalee Boulton; sons, Kenneth Boulton (wife, JoAnne Barry) and David Boulton, AAF, PFCI (wife, Stacy Boulton); grandchildren, Colby Boulton (wife, Svitlana Boulton) and Chelsea Boulton; brother, Robert Boulton of Longmont, Colorado; sister, Marian Wooding of Hackettstown, New Jersey; sister-in-law, Verley Boulton of Fort Collins, Colorado; and many other relatives and friends.
