Geahardt Ralph "Gea" Woster

1941 - 2025

Geahardt Ralph ""Gea"" Woster, 84, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Murphy, N.C., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, in a Murphy hospital.
He was a native of Vancouver, Wash., and later received an Associate Degree in Electronics from Clark College.
He served in the United States Army and was a Vietnam War veteran. Gea served two tours in Vietnam, where he received The National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritourious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and two overseas Vietnam Service Medals. He completed his military career at Fort Devens, Mass., instructing radio repair.
Gea began his career in electrical engineering working for Tektronix in Beaverton, Ore. He then worked for Technical Communications Corporation in Concord, Mass., for more than 20 years until retiring. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 103 in and Elk Lodge No. 2606, both of Punta Gorda, Fla. He was an avid HAM radio operator call sign K7-CXW. He was the president of the Punta Gorda Amateur Radio Club for seven years. He also enjoyed antique cars and built several hot rods in his younger days.
He was the son of the late Robert E. and Margaret Jacobsen Woster. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Sally Fish Woster; one son, Kirby Woster; and one sister, Robin Airoldi.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Anne Woster of Fort Myers, Fla.; three daughters, Wendy Matheny and husband Scott of Raleigh, N.C., Maria Ward and husband Monty of Murphy, N.C., and Anne Cassity and husband Chris of Olathe, Kan.; and a brother-in-law, Harold Airoldi of Naples, Fla.; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three nephews, Todd Amis, Brad Fish and Matt Hayden.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. William Catholic Church with military honors at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, with Father Augustine Ogar officiating.
Inurnment will be in Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Geahardt Ralph ""Gea"" Woster to American Legion No. 103, 2101 Taylor Road, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at iviefuneralhome.com.