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Colonel George H. Gardes, U.S. Army, Retired
Peacefully passed away on December 21, 2014, at his home in McLean, VA, surrounded by his loving family. George was born March 6, 1929 in Washington, DC, son of Brigadier General George Wiltz Washburn Gardes and Loretta Genevieve Fern. A 1951 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served in the Infantry in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and the United States. Colonel Gardes had many interesting staff and command assignments to include the M 16 Rifle Review Panel, and also a joint Army-Air Force project to test and evaluate the Maverick Missile. After retirement from the Army in 1973, Colonel Gardes applied his Master in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Virginia and Master of Science in Administration from George Washington University by serving at the Atomic Energy Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1974 until his retirement in 1991. Marked by introspection and love of learning, he was an avid reader and a student of History. He was content spending time with his family. He was an enthusiastic sports fisherman, catching, among numerous other fish, citation Striped Bass and King Mackerel. An active parishioner of St. John Catholic Church, in McLean, VA, he served as usher and CCD teacher.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Patricia Hudock Gardes, daughters Michele Louise Perry (Bryan), Mary Ann Sears (Ron), Catherine Genevieve Miller (Steve), Patricia Jane Roewer (Jim), Elizabeth Kay Heath, son George Christopher, seventeen grandchildren, a great-grandson, and his sister-in-law, Gail Gardes.
A viewing will be held at Murphy's Funeral Home, 1102 W. Broad St., Falls Church, VA on Sunday, Dec. 28 from 4-7 pm. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Beloved, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA on Monday, Dec. 29 at 11:00 am.
Mass will take place at the Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, VA, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 8:45 am. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Arlington National Cemetery.
For those who would like to make a contribution, donations can be made to the Parkinson's Clinical Research Fund, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N. Wolfe St-Phipps 300, Baltimore, MD 21287.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
April 21, 2015
John Friedman
Sorry to hear of your loss. Never got a chance to meet the Colonel but met his father at my grandfathers house as a young child. My grandfather was Arthur Gardes.
January 5, 2015
January 1, 2015
Jeff Perry
Dear Pat and the entire Gardes family,
George was great man. He held and fostered a deep love of family, God, and country. He will be remembered and greatly missed.
Jeff
December 31, 2014
We will miss you,George. We were honored to be your friends;we valued your friendship.
George was West Point,class of 1951;Dan was Annapolis class of 1958 and they had many highly spirited conversations punctuated by Georges' stories.
George taught us how to fall as if you were coming down from a parachute; he instructed us there was a good way to fall that would do less damage to your body(fewer broken bones).
Dan would go and visit George,(taking his violin)and he would play many of Georges'favorite tunes;his favorite being the 7th Cavalry tune, 'Gary Owens'. Toward the end of his life with us, he addressed Dan as just 'Navy' and told him what to play--and he listened intently.
His warm and engaging personality will be sorely missed by both of us.
Dan and Pat Bellay
Dan(USN Ret.--USNA Class of 1958)
December 30, 2014
That's a photo of Colonel Gardes at Jake's Graduation Air Force- wearing his USMA cap
December 29, 2014
Dear Patty, Mary, and family,
We are deeply sorry for your loss. Our love and prayers are with you at this
difficult time. May the Lord bless you and hold you close.
Love,
The Stine Family
December 29, 2014
To the entire Gardes Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Although it has been many years, I still remember my visits with the family fondly. I always loved talking with Mr. Gardes. He was an interesting person and a wonderful man. My deepest condolences.
God Bless,
Catherine Kaminski
December 29, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that your family is in my prays at this difficult time.
December 29, 2014
Suzanne Wheeler Klein
A gentleman our family knew from St. John's and Lisa, my friend from McLean, Patty from St. Joe's. I had no idea how decorated he was in the military. Blessings to your family and so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you during this time of loss, of a wonderful man.
Suzanne Wheeler Klein
December 29, 2014
Andrew Remson
George was a fine guy and a good classmate and friend. We will all miss him. Andy Remson
December 28, 2014
Lauretta & Don Kozel/Kobzowicz
Dear Cousin Patty-and family, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband. Don and I extend to all of you our deepest sympathy at this time. I will pray for you! Love from Don & Lauretta
December 28, 2014
Michael Marsden
December 28, 2014
Michael Marsden, JR
Dearest Mrs. Gardes (Pat), Shelly, Pattie, Mary, Cathy and Chris-
There are no words that can describe how much I loved and care about Mr. Gardes. He's in my thougts contstantly- Yes, I have always called him Mr. or Colonel simply out of respect for him. He was the best grandfather to all his grandkids, and I will miss the talks we had on many occasions. He set me straight, and I will never forget what he told to embed in my brain forever. By far, the smartest man I have known in my lifetime.
I love the Gardes family and my heart goes out to all of you , I'm lucky to have know him and your family for as long as I did. And on the moreover, I am also lucky to have the rest of you all in my life.. He was a great inspiration to me, and especially to our 3 sons. Good bless,
Michael Aloysius Jr.
December 28, 2014
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gardes family. Terri George Morris
December 27, 2014
Dear Patty and family, I was so sorry to hear about George's passing. I know he was a wonderful husband and father. A very nice man who will be missed terribly. I am so glad you two stopped to visit me a year or more ago. I will always remember you both. Love and Sympathy! Cel Yaniga (cousin)
December 26, 2014
Eileen Clair
Dear Patty, Mary and family, I am so sorry to hear that your Dad has passed away. He has left a legacy of love with you and your families. We are out of town but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in these difficult days ahead.
Eileen, Bill and Robbie
December 26, 2014
Susan Kendall
My father and brother are George A. Gardes. George H. and Pat were very kind and gracious at the funeral of George A. several years ago. He brought the family tree and made all of the faily feel very connected.
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