Col. Fletcher Kirkland Ware Jr.

1930 - 2025

Colonel Fletcher Kirkland Ware, Jr., passed away on April 20, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born in Minneapolis, MN, August 2, 1930, the eldest son of Colonel Fletcher K. Ware, Sr. and Florence Monahan Ware. Later, he moved with his family throughout the country while his father served during WWII. He graduated from high school in Jackson, MS in 1949 and joined the Army having already served one year in the National Guard. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY in 1950 by Senator John Stennis and graduated into the Infantry in 1954. He trained at Fort Benning, GA for Airborne, the arduous Ranger course, and the Jumpmaster course before his first assignment.

In 1959, he met and married Gudrun S. Diehl, "Barbara," a native of Heidelberg, Germany. She was attending Emory University on a Physical Therapy post graduate scholarship. This marriage of 65 years was full of love and a great partnership.

A veteran of Vietnam, Fletcher was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart, as well as other awards during his tours and career. In 1980, he retired as a Colonel having the honor of being designated a Master Parachutist and serving with some of the world's finest paratroopers in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the South Vietnamese Airborne Brigade. During his career, he was selected to attend the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. His assignments took him to Germany, Vietnam, Panama, Philippines, and numerous posts throughout this great nation. In addition, he received his master's degree in business administration from Washington University.

Fletcher, Barbara and their family moved to the Landings in Savannah, GA. Over the years, he and Barbara traveled the world but always returned to Savannah and the Landings with anticipation and pleasure. Fletcher was a devoted member of the West Point Society of Savannah, serving as its president for many years. In recognition of his service to the Society and the Association of Graduates he was designated a Distinguished Graduate of West Point. During this time, he also served as a volunteer for the Employer's Support of the Guard and Reserve and American Red Cross. During the Iraq and Afghanistan wars he, frequently with Barbara, devoted many hours with these groups providing both information and comfort to active and reserve soldiers deploying from or returning to Hunter AAF or Fort Stewart. These several services resulted in receiving the Presidential Volunteer Services Award. (PVSA Lifetime Achievement Award)

A lifelong reader and writer, he was the editor of highly successful coffee table book, The Golf Courses at the Landings on Skidaway Island and co-editor of an acclaimed historical nonfiction entitled Entwined Destinies, West Point and the Coastal Empire: 1802-2002. He also authored and published three historical fiction novels, along with numerous published short stories.

Fletcher is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; two daughters, Dianne Perry and Sheila Edwards (Trace); a son Micheal (Eileen), six grandchildren Bradley, Brandon, Ryan, Emily, Kirkland, Landen, and four great-grandchildren.

Fletcher knew the joys of family, his love and admiration for his children and their children, love of country and love for his best friend, most loyal supporter, his beloved wife.

And when our work is done

Our course on earth is run

May it be said, "Well done,

Be thou at peace."

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wounded Warriors or Tunnel to Towers.