Covenant minister and theater professor George Scranton died in Seattle, Washington, on November 28, 2023. He was 79.
George Alfred Scranton was born to parents Jack and Nancy Scranton on October 25, 1944, the third of four children. During his childhood, the Scranton family lived primarily in the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington, with some time also spent in Vancouver. George came to faith in Christ at about five or six years old; as he grew, he was mentored in the faith by several mentors and pastoral figures and was baptized at summer camp by the age of ten, on September 11, 1955.
After earning his diploma from the Briercrest Bible Institute in 1965, George attended Seattle Pacific College, where he met Claire Markham. They were engaged during their senior year, and after a summer working as camp counselors, they married on September 14, 1968, and together they had a son, Trevor, and a daughter, Lindsey.
George graduated from Seattle Pacific in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in biblical literature and speech/drama. He earned a master of arts in biblical literature in 1971, a master of arts in theater history and criticism from the University of Washington in 1975, and a PhD in theology and the arts (with an emphasis on theater) from Graduate Theological Union / Pacific School of Religion in 1984.
George taught theater at Seattle Pacific, starting in 1970, during its transition from a college to a university in 1977, until his retirement in 2015, after which he served three years as a part-time adjunct professor emeritus. As a generalist, he taught acting, stage movement, mime, playwriting, comedy, and a senior seminar called “The Arts and the Religious Experience.” He also served on the board of the Taproot Theatre Company. George directed over 100 productions and acted in approximately 30 shows, primarily at SPU. His final role was in 2015, playing the lead in Shakespeare’s King Lear.
In 1970, George was invited by Rev. Roy Erickson at First Covenant of Seattle to teach oral Scripture reading to the church’s youth. It wasn’t long before that church would feel like home to George, Claire, and their family. George remained active in worship and ministry at First Covenant, serving on various committees such as the worship planning team, teaching an occasional adult Christian formation class, and reading Scripture during Sunday morning worship. When called upon to serve, George was known to offer a delighted “yes.” At the urging of Glenn Palmberg, superintendent of the Pacific Northwest Conference, George completed his required coursework through North Park Theological Seminary, and was ordained to specialized ministry in theology and theater by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2004.
George was known both personally and professionally as a man of faith. As a young man, he treasured the mentorship he experienced and eventually became a mentor for many of his students. Hospitality was an important value to George, and having grown up witnessing his parents share their home with others, he and Claire did the same with many of his students. Over the course of his time at SPU, 30-40 students were welcomed into George and Claire’s home for an extended stay. They also celebrated many important milestones for students and hosted a variety of events for students and faculty, including first
readings of plays, chili cook-offs, cast parties, wedding ceremonies and receptions, faculty dinners, and holiday gatherings.
George is survived by his wife, Claire; his sister, Joeretta Ridenour; children Trevor (Ann) and Lindsey Astrup (Jason), and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Covenant in Seattle on January 27, 2024. Memorial gifts in his name can be made to First Covenant of Seattle, or to the Taproot Theatre Company.
Peace to his memory.
