George Edward Vinson

George Edward Vinson passed away peacefully at the age of 95 in the early morning of October 29, 2024, at his home in Gaithersburg, MD. George was born on January 26, 1929, in Newburgh, NY to Richard and Rebecca (Weygant) Vinson. He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Richard F. Vinson, II.

George had a long, successful career and proudly served for 33 years in the United States Army Signal Corps, serving several tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam and achieving the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4 before retiring from the military in 1983. He worked for the White House Communications Agency serving the Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan and Bush Administrations. His military career and beyond was characterized by dedication and honor, attributes he carried into his personal life. After retirement, he went on to serve in communications for the United States Senate, fully retiring in 1988.

George studied Oriental Philosophy at Sophia University, Jochi Daigaku in Tokyo, Japan, when he met his future wife. He then went on to complete his degree in Communications with honors and induction into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at the University of Maryland, University College. These experiences fueled his lifelong passion for learning.

George married the love of his life, Chikako Kowaki Vinson, on November 9, 1956. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years; daughters, Georjean Lipovsky (Joseph) and Patricia Woodwell (David), grandchildren; Stephen Lipovsky (Jenny), Andrew Lipovsky, Catherine Lipovsky-Durkee (Philip), Nicholas Lipovsky, and Christopher Woodwell; great-grandchildren; Annelise Lipovsky, Charlotte Lipovsky, and Evan Durkee and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A man of quiet strength and dignity with a wonderful sense of humor, George had many varied interests. He was intelligent and extremely well-read. He was a wordsmith and prolific writer, his written words characterized by his distinctive calligraphic handwriting. He had an artist’s soul, loving classical music, opera and recreating oil paintings of the masters. He traveled the world with his devoted wife at his side, scaling the Great Pyramid in Giza, Egypt and the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico to visiting the Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia to petting kangaroo and koala in Australia. Even with such a life well-lived and all the world adventures, family and friends were his greatest treasure. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many and welcomed home by many more.

The family expresses their gratitude to caregivers Ama Amoako, Danielle Kieto, Anne Baptiste, Martha Ngwolong and many others who came to love and tirelessly care for “Mr. G”.

Friends may call at DeVol Funeral Home, 10 East Deer Park Dr., Gaithersburg, MD 20877 on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM where a Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM

Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery date and time to be announced in the future.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the CLL Society or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation in memory of George E. Vinson, honoring his spirit of generosity and kindness.