Edward Gudgel Jr.

EDWARD GUDGEL, JR. MELBOURNE Brigadier Gen eral Edward Francis Gudgel, Jr., a loving father, grand- father and great grandfather, went home to join his wife, Dorothy Jean Gudgel, and our Lord on Thursday, September 25, 2008. He was surrounded by his family at the William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay, Florida. He was a resident of The Fountains of Melbourne. Ed was born on November 11, 1924, in Lexington, KY, to Edward Francis and Sarah MacKenzie Gudgel. He attend ed Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1945. He earned his Masters of Science in Inter national Affairs from George Washington University in 1967. Ed served his country in the US Army for 29 years, rising from the rank of Second Lieu tenant to Brigadier General. He served 18 months in the Korean Conflict and 18 months in the Vietnam War. Additionally, he served tours of duty in Japan, Germany, and at several Army posts across the United States. He retired from the US Army in 1974, establishing residence in Palm Bay and later Melbourne. In 1976, he served as Director of Off-Campus Programs at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, retiring in 1989. Throughout his life, Ed was involved in his community. While living in Florida, he served in several leadership positions at his church, First Christian Church of Melbourne, and on the Board of Directors for South Brevard Habitat for Humanity. In 2005, Henry Clay High School honored Ed with his induction into their Hall of Fame. He was a devout Chris tian who lived his faith and raised his children in the Word. Ed is survived by his children, Richard Gudgel of Columbia, SC; Nancy Wade of Birming ham, AL; Robert Gudgel of Melbourne; and Betty Hulse of Savannah, GA. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and 16 great- grandchildren with cherished and loving memories. Eds lifelong friends around the world are testimonies to his selfless service and his com passionate and loyal friend ships. He was admired for his passionate love of his wife of 62 years and loved by his children and grandchildren. Welcome home, good and faithful servant. Funeral services will be held at First Christian Church of Mel bourne on Monday, September 29, 2008. Viewing will be 10-11:00 a.m. with services to follow. Internment will be at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First Christian Church of Melbourne, 2010 S. Babcock Street, Mel bourne, FL, or William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907.