Candace Michelle Player

With utter shock and the deepest of love, we announce the passing of our beautiful

Candace Michelle Player. Despite leaving this world at the early age of 38 Candi

touched the lives of family, friends, co-workers, and even strangers as our brightest

flame lit up the world around her. Candi's compassion, consideration and respect for all

formed a foundation unmatched by most. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother,

daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend.

Candi was born in Loma Linda, California on November 5 th , 1986 during one of her

military family's assignments and later lived in Omaha, Nebraska and ultimately in

Northern Virginia. Candi was the daughter of James I. Player and Mitzi F.B. Guice. She

graduated with academic and athletic honors from Stafford Senior High School. Candi

studied at George Mason University's School of Business earning an undergraduate

degree in Marketing with a minor in Tourism and Events Management. She would later

return to earn her Masters in Business Administration while working full-time as a

project manager at Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) supporting the United States of

America Vietnam War Commemoration Program and later the Office of the Chief

Information Officer (CIO) in the Department of Defense (DoD). Over the last three

years, Candi was selected and served in a senior government position leading Program,

Budget, Analysis and Integration for the DoD CIO. Throughout her professional career

Candi gained momentum as a rising star.

Candi is survived by her husband John whom she met and fell in love with while both

attending George Mason University. She was a supermom to her beautiful children Lyra

and baby Luke devoting as much time and attention to their needs as possible. Her

children are the everlasting flame of her life keeping Candi present in everyone's heart.

She is also survived by her sister Jessica (Brett) and brother Brendan (Caroline), her

paternal grandmother Noriko and John's father (Barney) as well as many uncles, aunts,

brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Candi will be remembered as she lived, one of the kindest, most loving people this

world has seen and most of us have ever known.

Her visitation and graveside service will be private for family only.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either of the following:

With Open Arms to Brazil which offers care and support to children in need by

implementing primary care social projects and educational programs.

https://nhbc.breezechms.com/form/5c9596

The Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 50037, Arlington, VA 22205 or at

https://www.lostdogrescue.org/donate-now

The family invites friends and co-workers to join us to celebrate our angel's life at the

Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22030 on

Monday, August 4 th , 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00pm.