George Robert Kaye

George Robert Kaye, age 87, passed away peacefully at his home on March 9, 2023. He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 47 years, Mary Kaye, who preceded him in death in 2020.

He was born May 29, 1935 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania and as he grew up the son of William and Eleanor Kaye, his passion for patriotism and military service took hold. He served in the United States Navy for 20 years which included time as a corpsman in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

After his career in the Navy, he worked for the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) as national finance secretary, as editor of Naval Affairs, and served one term as national president. He traveled all over the United States honoring military veterans and advocating for them in meetings with the country’s dignitaries, including presidents. He placed memorial wreaths at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and he helped break ground in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Navy Memorial and Vietnam Wall. In retirement, he continued to support FRA as a member and he was an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans, and Lutheran Men in Mission.

George also proudly supported America’s favorite pastime – baseball – by umpiring little league games. He was an umpire for the 1972 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Also in 1972, he married Mary and together they led their family well on the rollercoaster of life. Left to cherish the memories of George and Mary are their children, by blood and by heart: Linda Kaye Shipp, Mike Futrell (Roberta), Louise Williams (Melvin), Rick Futrell (Cindy), Debbie Hockman (Bob), Janice Garrett (Sam), Susie Herman, Jessica Arnold (Jon), and Jenny Bender (Rob). George and Mary raised Jessica and Jenny as their own following the death of the girls’ mother, Annette Pray, in 1986. In addition, 19 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren will forever remember their Papa George and Grandma Mary.

George is also survived by 4 of his 7 siblings – Fredrica Shallcross, Jim Kaye (Margie), Tom Kaye (Vicky), and Ryan Garrick – and predeceased by the remaining 3 – Harold Kaye, Suzanne Brown, and Eleanor Lewarchik.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 beginning at 11:00am at Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church in Garden City, South Carolina. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks that those who are able instead make a donation to Shepherd of the Sea Lutheran Church or Traditions Health: Hospice, Palliative, & Home Health Care.

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