Lt. Col. George Van Orden - Rest in Peace Sir

Lt. Col. George Van Orden

 

Lt. Col. George Van Orden, USMC retired, departed this life on Saturday, March 30, 2013. He loved his family, his puppies, the Chargers and Padres, and doo-wop music. He was also a strong supporter of military charities that assist soldiers and veterans.

George, 73, graduated from Fork Union Military Academy, and later Virginia Military Institute in 1961. As a 26-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, George was the third of four generations of career Marines and served two tours in Vietnam. As a competitive shooter, George won two national junior titles as well as the 1979 National Service Rifle Championship while serving in the Marine Corps. George, his father, and his son are the only three generations of Marines to all become Distinguished Shooters. George retired from the Marine Corps in 1983 and had a distinguished career in real estate until he retired in 1998.

George leaves behind to celebrate his life, his wife of 35 years, Marina; his four children, George, James, Lee, and Rina; his sister, Flora; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Bennett Funeral Home in Chesterfield at 2 p.m. Friday with visitation at 1 p.m. The burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org ).

God Speed Friend!