Jorma K. "George" Vaino

Jorma “George” K. Vainio, 92, went Home to be with Jesus and loved-ones Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the Village Health Care Center. Jorma was born on July 6, 1924 in Oulu, Finland, to Oiva and Alli Vainio. His mother, Alli, passed away when Jorma was two weeks old. Oiva remarried about two years later to Lily who helped raise Jorma and his brother Armas.
Jorma and Armas stayed with their grandparents in Porvoo, Finland while Oiva and Lily left to homestead in Canada. Two years later, Jorma and Armas, (9yrs and 11yrs), crossed the North Atlantic by ship to join their parents.
At 18, Jorma joined a road crew constructing the Alaska Highway. There he learned to operate a variety of heavy equipment. Eventually, Jorma joined his family who had moved to Ladysmith, B.C.. His father had become a Finnish Pentecostal pastor and evangelist. It was at a church service that he met a young lady from Seattle, Karin Korpi, who was visiting with her parents. After a six-month engagement, they were married. As newlyweds, they often travelled with Oiva and Lily Vainio on evangelistic preaching tours in Canada. Jorma would sing, and Karin played the Hawaiian guitar.
Eventually Jorma and Karin moved to Seattle where they were heavily involved in Christian service at the Philadelphia Church. Jorma served in various capacities including as teacher, deacon, and treasurer. His vocal and instrumental gifts were well appreciated! Jorma received his nickname, “George” because the choir leader struggled with the pronunciation of “Jorma”!
Perhaps his musical high point was singing with The Men of the Chapel, a group from the church. They performed at many churches in western Washington, and on one occasion sang for Governor Rosellini at the Seattle Center Colosseum.
Jorma’s work experience included logging, delivery truck driver, salesman, and as operations manager for a 150-acre Bible camp (Camp Berachah).
Jorma and Karin began their family in Seattle. Their first child, Linda, died shortly after birth. Eventually three more children were born to them: Ed, Shirley, and Linnea. Jorma and Karin were wonderful parents who faithfully raised their children to love and serve Jesus Christ.
Survivors include son, Ed (Janet), Missoula, Daughters Shirley and Linnea Vainio of Springfield, MO.; grandsons, James (Cindy), San Diego, CA, Nathan (Jamie), Diamond, MO, and David (Sheree’), Helena, MT, and 10 great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Seija Vainio, Abbotsford, B.C., Rose Korpi, Centralia, WA, Betty Korpi, Tacoma, WA; and numerous nephews and nieces both in the U.S., Canada, and Finland.
Visitation will be at Garden City Funeral Home Friday, Noon until Five PM. The Memorial Service will be at 11 AM Saturday at the Christian Life Center Chapel, with U.M. Chi Alpha Minister Scott Barnett officiating.