2024

Wendell E. "Jack" Shawn, Jr., who December 16, 2023, at a celebration of his 100th birthday, was personally awarded the National SAR War Service Medal, the Virginia SAR Silver Meritorious Service Medal, the NSDAR Distinguished Citizen Medal and the Nelly Custis Chapter NSDAR Distinguished Citizen Certificate, passed away October 5, 2024. In addition, on October 23, 2013, Jack received the Chapter Distinguished Service Medal (the SAR’s highest award for Chapter Service) for service provided to the George Washington Chapter.

Jack was residing at the Paul Spring Retirement Home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Born in Easton, Maryland December 15, 1923, Jack lived on the Maryland Eastern Shore. He attended Salisbury State Teachers College and later graduated from the University of Maryland. He served in both World War II and the Korean War. He earned two Bronze Stars, a Combat Infantryman Badge, the European African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

In civilian life, Jack married Betty Lou Reid, also a University of Maryland graduate and raised four sons during their sixty plus year marriage. He worked at the then-named Bureau of Ships, Small Business Administration and retired from the U.S. Department of Labor in the mid-1980s. In 1977 he retired from The Army Reserves as a Lt. Colonel. He also worked in Human Resources for Doctors Hospital, Fairfax, and Mt. Vernon Hospitals.

Jack was also the first to sign the charter establishing Aldersgate Methodist Church in 1956 and was a devout layperson and attendee of the Church. He has been a member of the GW Chapter of the SAR since 2005 by establishing his direct bloodline descent from William Harrison (1745-1813) who served in the Maryland Militia, 38th Battalia, 1781.

Jack was a loving, caring father, husband, grandfather, and great grandfather and is survived by his sons and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery Monday, March 31, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Learn More about funerals at Arlington National Cemetery here: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Funeral-Information

Floyd Nelson Ryan (aka "Slats"), a beloved father, veteran, and dedicated community member, passed away peacefully at his home in Alexandria, VA, Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the age of 93. Born July 1931 in Cumberland, MD, he was the cherished son of Alvey and Myrtha Ryan. Floyd leaves behind a loving family, including his three children: Craig, Kirk, Lisa and grandchildren.

He graduated from Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, MD. He was committed to furthering his education and pursued his technical development earning multiple engineering degrees from: Frostburg State University, The American University and a Master's Degree from University of Southern California (USC).

Floyd's dedication to his country began with a tour with the U. S. Navy. He enlisted three days after his 18th birthday; serving as a Radio Repairman on the USS Philip (DD 498) during the Korean War. Following his uniformed service, and for over 45 years, Floyd worked as a senior civilian serving in several leadership roles with the Department of Defense and the U. S. Navy. Throughout his career, he made significant contributions to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the AEGIS program office in Arlington, VA and Washington, DC. He was responsible for the successful production and timely delivery of the complex AEGIS combat system and its variants, to myriad cruisers and destroyers for both the U. S. Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. Following retirement from civil service, he started his own consulting company whereupon he continued supporting the department of defense through his diverse engineering, contracting and technical skills.

Floyd was deeply involved in his community. He was an active member of the Kena Temple, The American Legion, and the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, as well as the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Maryland's Potomac Lodge in Cumberland, MD. He was proud to be part of the George Washington Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Navy League of the U.S., and the American Society of Naval Engineering.

Services will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1301 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria, VA, 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

His legacy of service, dedication, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/floyd-ryan-obituary?id=56637344

Thomas L. Edwards, 70, of McCandless, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 17, 2024. He is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Eileen (Biciolis) Edwards; his sister, Vicki (Robert) Schulz of Ross Township; and many other beloved family members who held a special place in his heart, including his faithful pal, Percy. Tom was born on August 19, 1953, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late James J. and Mary Lou (Kerr) Edwards. He grew up in Avalon where he graduated from Avalon High School in 1971 then graduated from Robert Morris College with a degree in Business Administration.

From early childhood, Tom enjoyed fishing, swimming, playing golf and basketball, and spending time with his family, friends, and dogs. One of his most passionate hobbies was unraveling the mysteries of family history with a particular fascination for the 17th- 19th centuries. Tom devoted nearly 20 years to the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) as a member of the Pennsylvania Society (Pennsylvania SAR). He served as Vice President and Treasurer of the Pennsylvania SAR Pittsburgh Chapter before becoming President in 2012 for two years. He later acted as Chairman of the Reserve Managers from 2018–2021. At the State level, Tom served as the Pennsylvania SAR Vice President from 2022–2023. He became a dual member of the SAR by joining his son Kevin as a member of the Virginia Society (VASSAR) and the George Washington Chapter in 2018. He was particularly proud to march with his son in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. In recognition and in appreciation of his contributions to the SAR, Tom received several honors including the Pennsylvania State Roger Sherman Medal. He will be posthumously honored next month for his distinguished service. Mr. Edwards' Revolutionary War patriots are Colonel George Stewart (PA); Captain Thomas Moore (PA); Pvt. David Patton (PA); and Patriot Joseph Phillis (PA). 

Tom was also a member of Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Boniface Catholic Church, 2208 East St., Pittsburgh, where he will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

https://www.ltmillerfuneralhome.com/m/obituaries/Thomas-Edwards-47/Memories

Paul Allen Gade of Arlington, VA passed away on May 12, 2024, at 85 years old. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Martha Moore; his three children, Meredith, Eric, and Alexandra; and four grandchildren, Zakaria, Adam, Mira, and Alexandru. Paul grew up in Cleveland, OH and attended Hiram College, graduating in 1961. He then served as a lieutenant in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966, after which he got his PhD in Psychology from Ohio University in 1974. He was a dedicated civil servant and worked for 35 years as a research psychologist for the US Army at the Army Research Institute.

In his youth, Paul was a sportsman and excelled in basketball, baseball, and softball. He passed on this passion to his children by coaching many of their sports teams. He was a keen hockey fan and enjoyed going to Capitals games with his daughter Meredith. In his later years, Paul developed a great interest in genealogy and became a member of both the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Mayflower Society, serving as insignia chairperson for the latter. Paul was a SAR member for 35 years. His Revolutionary War patriot is Private Stephen Winslow.

Paul also became an avid writer, establishing a writing group, Marty's writers, through which he produced several vignettes about his life. He was a devoted husband, a dedicated father and grandfather, and will be deeply missed. Services will take place on Sunday, May 26 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Murphy's Funeral Home in Arlington, with an inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery in 2025.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/paul-gade-obituary?id=55172203

2023

Christoper Todd Famme: Christopher, who was beloved by all, passed away on December 22, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia at the age of 62.

He is survived by his parents Joe and Vanice Famme, sister Gretchen Kelly, niece Savannah Kelly, brother Joseph B. Famme (Tammy Famme) and their family, and foster sister Marie Ho and her family.

Christopher was a true renaissance man: an artist who won several national awards in ARC contests, a lifelong drummer who played in the church praise band, and an actor in ArtStream for 12 years. He was a remarkable athlete who skied, swam in the Special Olympics, competed in equitation and dressage, and played basketball and soccer. Chris was also the best dancer and the life of every party.

Christoper was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, George Washington Chapter, Virginia SAR. He honored his Revolutionary War patriot Pvt. Jonathan Lovell, of the Massachusetts Militia.

George Washington Chapter member Virgil "Pete" Farley (March 7, 1943 - November 7, 2023) passed away in Williamsburg, Virginia at the age of 80 years old. He was inducted into the Chapter in November 2017 and two months later he was the Chapter Newsletter Editor. Pete's career and personal interests going back to high school focused upon printing. He entered a 4-year apprenticeship program through The International Typographical Union, becoming a skilled Journeyman Printer. After employment in various printing shops and newspapers in West Virginia and Virginia, he joined the print department at The Wall Street Journal in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1973 just as the days of hot metal typography were coming to an end due to the arrival of the computer era. Eventually, he started his own business as a consultant of Graphics and Printing and spent the last fifteen years of his career at the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

From early childhood, Pete was an avid collector of baseball cards (and was one of the fortunate whose mother did not toss out his collection). His collection of cards and baseball memorabilia continued his entire life. He was a baseball super-fan and particularly loved the Yankees of the 1950s-60s.

Pete maintained an avid interest in both history and ancestry. Over the years he was a devoted supporter of organizations such as The Friends of Mount Vernon, The Mosby Heritage Area Association, Civil War Trust, National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Society of American Baseball Research.

Pete was honored by Virginia SAR as the 2022 Newsletter Editor of the Year. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Carol Simpson Farley; son, Jeffrey C. Farley (Paula) of Virginia Beach, VA; daughter, Nanette Farley Lucas, of Tallahassee, FL; stepsons, John Reedy (Kari) of Ayden, NC, and Matthew Reedy (Julie) of Midlothian, VA; and seven grandchildren.

Additional information can be found here in his online obituary:

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/29968751/virgil-c-farley

Past Virginia Society President Donald W. Baldwin passed away on April 17, 2023 at the age of 93.  Don was one of the earliest, longest-standing, and most dedicated members of the George Washington Chapter.  Born in Danville, VA on May 18, 1929, Don became a Chapter member in 1960 and served as Chapter President in 1963.  After his tenure, he continued his service to the Sons of the American Revolution, serving as Virginia SAR President 1969-70 and subsequently as Vice President General of the Mid-Atlantic District.  Don’s Virginia SAR legacy continues to live on through the Donald W. Baldwin Award, given annually to the Virginia SAR Chapter with the largest membership increase.  Don continued to be a regular attendee at Chapter and State meetings and events for six decades before eventually moving to Kettering, OH in 2020.  For more recent Virginia SAR members, however, Don was likely best known for the introduction he typically received during the annual July 4^th March to the Tomb and Wreath Laying at Mount Vernon as “the George Washington Chapter President when the first such commemoration was held” in the early 1960’s.Don was an alumnus of both VMI and the University of Virginia and served two years in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.  He worked as an Administrative Assistant to two Republican members of the House of Representatives before joining the National Forest Products Association, working later at the White House Conference of Food, Nutrition, and Health under Richard M. Nixon, and eventually founding Donald Baldwin Associates.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joan (Jody) Bolling Baldwin; son, Alan H. Baldwin; and daughter Elizabeth B. Chryst.  His eldest son, Winston M. Baldwin, preceded him in death.  He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Kate E. Baldwin, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Don was also one of the founding parishioners of St. Andrew and St. Margaret of Scotland (Anglican Catholic Church) in Alexandria, VA.  Among other duties, Don served as Senior Warden and Sunday School teacher. 
Don touched the lives of many Compatriots in the SAR, and especially within the George Washington Chapter. He is remembered fondly and with great respect.

2021

William F. Vosbeck, Jr. peacefully passed away in his sleep Dec. 15, 2021, at The Fairfax Retirement Community in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Bill was born in Mankato, Minnesota, May 13, 1924.  It was at the end of high school when he met his future wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Just. Together they attended the University of Minnesota and upon graduating they married, a marriage that lasted 74 years. While still in college, Bill enlisted with the US Marine Corps. After leaving the Marines, he convinced his younger brother, Randy, also an architect, to come to the East Coast. Together they formed their own architectural firm, Vosbeck, Vosbeck & Associates.  Bill was a member of the George Washington Chapter, SAR for 25 years, his Revolutionary War patriot, Jonathan Parke served as a Private in the Chester County, PA troops.  

William F. Vosbeck, Jr Memorial Biography

James Patrick Barry, 90, passed away on June 27, 2021.  The family didn’t provide an obituary as a memorial.

James was a member of the George Washington Chapter, SAR for 12 years, his Revolutionary War patriot, Michael Kiser, was a Private in the Philadelphia County, PA militia.

Past Commander Robert L. Fitton, AP, passed away on April 26, 2021 at age 89. Bob joined the Northern Virginia Power Squadron in 1994 and immediately became an active member. He served as Administrative Officer in 1998 and Executive Officer in 1999 before becoming Commander in 2000. Robert was a member of the George Washington Chapter, SAR for 26 years, his Revolutionary War patriot, Richard Marshall, served in the Maryland Continental Line.

Robert L. Fitton Memorial BIography