If you are ever in the Woodlands building, then you most likely have met George U.! George can be found most afternoons sitting outside on the Woodlands front porch, waiting to offer a “good afternoon” and a smile.
George was born in 1926 on his family’s dairy farm in Germantown, MD. He was the youngest of four children. George’s childhood was spent mostly on the farm, where adults worked long hours and children did chores. Most of his friends were his cousins, as well as the children on other nearby farms. George attended Neelsville Presbyterian Church as a young child; today, he is believed to hold the longest membership in the church.
George attended Montgomery County Public Schools and graduated from Richard Montgomery High School. He spent his first years after high school working on the farm, where his responsibilities included transporting prisoners of war from a camp near Gaithersburg to work on the farm.
George served in the DC National Guard and was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant. He was in the peacetime post-war Guard, so no wartime service. However, he served in the Coastal Anti-Aircraft Artillery, which drilled on the beaches of Maryland and Delaware.
George began his federal government career after World War II in Washington, DC. His service included positions with the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission. George’s work was focused on domestic and international shipping contracts, which included tariff rates.
While working for the Federal Government, George took the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Germantown to Union Station. One day on the train, he met the love of his life, Doris, who also lived on a farm in Barnesville. Doris was commuting from Barnesville to Rockville for work. In 1953, George and Doris married and moved to Gaithersburg, where they raised three children: Steve, Sally and Sandy.
After his government career, George worked part-time in a small, local hardware store (Christopher’s Hardware) in Quince Orchard (for the social interaction more so than the financial benefits). He took care of his home, lawn, and garden, as well as helped care for his grandchildren and attended their school events.
George and Doris moved to Asbury Methodist Village in 2018, where Doris passed away in 2019.
George is the proud grandfather to eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren… number five is due this fall! He says his family and faith are the most important things to him, and he enjoys every visit he has with his family.
George has a wonderful sense of humor, a great laugh and smile, and is always up for a good conversation. He is a true gentleman, and we are so honored to have him with us at the Woodlands.