GEORGE GUDAITIS

1938 - 2016

George Gustav Gudaitis Beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and brother in Christ Jesus, was born on April 2, 1938. He was called home to the Lord God Sunday morning, September 4, 2016. George was born in Silninken, Lithuania and grew up on a farm. When Russia invaded Lithuania, his family fled to rural Germany. After George's father, Gustav, died at the end of the war, George, his mother and older brother escaped to West Germany. They lived in a refugee camp for three years until they received visas to begin a new life in America. He tasted his first orange during the boat voyage to the US. In their new home in Chicago, George attended school, learned English, and as a young man worked building guitars in a guitar factory and delivering telegraphs. After joining the US Army in 1958, George proudly served as an infantryman in the 101st Airborne Division, including service in Vietnam. Over the course of his military career he served as a sharpshooter, elite team marksman, arms room supervisor, construction engineer supervisor and range manager. He received many honors including the National Defense Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. In 1965, George met his beloved wife, Chong Cha, in South Korea. They traveled with their three daughters to duty stations including Colorado, Germany, New Jersey, and finally settled in DuPont, Washington. After retiring in 1984, George helped build boats for Alaska fishermen and operated a jewelry workshop. When George accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior in 1994, his life was transformed by the love of God. He cherished reading the Bible and volunteering at Tacoma Central Mission Church, where he worshiped and became a Deacon. He supported mission's efforts. He managed church facilities and maintenance, hosted home Bible studies, played harmonica in worship services and was greatly beloved as he shared the love of God. A gifted handyman and talented amateur engineer, George built intricate machines and devices, repaired countless cars, equipment and appliances, and worked on projects free-of-charge for family and friends. He was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, and mushroom forager. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, photography, gardening, reading detective stories and computer programming. His gift for storytelling touched many people. He blessed his grandchildren with his handcrafted wooden toys, coached baseball games in the front yard, enthusiastically cheered at their sporting events and shared his love and laughter with everyone at family gatherings. In his final years, George remained faithful, loving and active, despite health challenges. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Chong Cha, his parents and his brother, John Gudaitis, George is survived by his daughters Diana (Jim Barbera), Maria and Nancy Gudaitis, his sister, Wilma Maser, grandchildren Jeffrey Gudaitis (Shay), Brennan, Malcolm (Rose), Raven and Alex Barbera, as well as four great-grandchildren and extended family members across the US, Germany and Lithuania. George was a big-hearted man, steadfast, generous, funny, always learning, patient, quick to forgive and full of faith. He was deeply loved by his family, friends, and generations of children who called him Grandpa. Our family extends heartfelt thanks to all who shared their love, friendship, care and prayers with George and our family throughout the years. Viewing: Friday, September 30, 4 - 7 pm, New Tacoma Cemetery at 9212 Chambers Creek Road, University Place, WA 98467, 253-564-1311. Memorial Service: Saturday, October 1 at 11 am, Tacoma Central Mission Church at 10312 93rd Street Court SW, Lakewood, WA 98498. Burial: Sunday, October 2 at 2:30 pm, New Tacoma Cemetery.