George Edward Sluder

George Edward Sluder, 86, of Maryland, passed away on November 19, 2025. He was born on December 4, 1938, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Norma Glee Moore and Hank Sluder. George was oldest of five children, and is survived by sisters, Janice Cornelius and Judy Kuhn and brothers Richard Allen Sluder and John David Sluder.

A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, George served mostly in the Tank Division for 21 years, beginning his military career on November 18, 1958. His service took him to Vietnam, Korea, Germany, and many duty stations across the United States. George was known as an exceptional leader, and he became the youngest platoon sergeant in his battalion -- He was very proud of that. His letter of recommendation for promotion praised him for having the most mission-oriented, combat-ready platoon in the battalion and described him as “unquestionably one of the finest Noncommissioned Officers the Army ever had.” George retired in 1979 as a 1st Sergeant (E8) with pride, having served his country with honor and distinction, including recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

After his military service, George continued to demonstrate his dedication and work ethic. He attended TESST College where he studied refrigeration and air conditioning repair. After graduation, the school hired him to run their operations center and teach classes, where his impact was immeasurable. George retired from TESST in 2011, but not before leaving a lasting legacy with the many students and colleagues who remember him as their "One and Only George," a man who touched their hearts and changed their lives.

George's personal life was equally full of love and devotion. He met his beloved wife Ruth in 1969 in Anchorage, Alaska, and they later married on November 2, 1971 in Maryland, and celebrated 54 years of marriage.

George loved crafts. He made earrings for friends and family, wove hats for family and some for infants in hospitals, assembled wooden models, and repaired anything that needed fixing. There was truly nothing mechanical that George could not fix.

George was strong, brave, and courageous, yet gentle, patient, and endlessly kind. He helped anyone who needed him and made instant friends wherever he went. Those who knew him remember him as a rare and special soul. He will be deeply missed by his family (located in Maryland, Michigan, and Italy), his friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

George is survived by his Maryland family; beloved wife, Ruth Sluder, siblings-in-law, Neil and Diane Gustafson and Elsie Fabrick; nieces and nephews, Kelly Gustafson and Alex Carbone, Lauren and Marcos Rodriguez, great niece and nephew, Olivia R. Ibragimova and Victor R. Rodriguez; and his dear close friend, Ellen Metsch.

George is also survived by his Michigan family; his siblings, Judith Kuhn and Janice Cornelius and her husband Ronald, Richard Alan Sluder and his wife Susanne, and John David Sluder; also his nieces and nephews, Douglas Kuhn and Bill Narrow, Kevin Kuhn, Jane Kuhn, Michael Sluder, Ronald Cornelius Jr., Stephanie and Hasham Sayed, Andrew Cornelius, Katie and Ishmael Farrah; and many beloved great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 10AM to12PM at which time a Celebration of George's Life will begin.

Interment to follow at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.PartnersInCare.org, a charity meaningful to George and his family.