Search by Name

Search by Name

CARDEN COLEMAN McGEHEE JR.

CARDEN COLEMAN McGEHEE JR. obituary, Washington, DC

FUNERAL HOME

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

5130 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington, District of Columbia

CARDEN McGEHEE Obituary


McGEHEE CARDEN COLEMAN McGEHEE, JR. (Age 63) Surrounded by loved ones, Carden Coleman McGehee, Jr., died peacefully Thursday evening, September 1, 2016, at Washington Home Family Community Hospice in Washington, DC. Born in Richmond, VA to Caroline (Casey) and C. Coleman McGehee on December 31, 1952, Carden attended St. Christopher''s School and later Blue Ridge School in Saint George, VA. Carden''s passion for Blue Ridge was exemplified by his nine years of service on the school''s Board of Trustees. After earning an undergraduate degree at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, Carden returned to Virginia, where he was awarded a Masters of Architectural History from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville (UVA). The University had a very special place in Carden''s heart. In addition to serving two decades of serviceon the Dean''s Advisory Board of the UVA School of Architecture, Carden was a supporting member of the Dean''s Forum. A Washingtonian for the past 35 years, Carden was a respected and admired member of the commercial real estate community; his career culminated as Senior Vice President at Transwestern, having worked at CBRE, as well as its predecessor entities, Trammell Crow Company, Insignia/ESG, and Barnes Morris & Pardoe, Inc. Given his enthusiastic support of the restoration of Thomas Jefferson''s Poplar Forrest, we know Carden and Mr. Jefferson are immersed in conversation about Palladian Villas at this very moment. A lifelong Episcopalian, Carden was a loyal and active member of St. Columba''s Episcopal Church, where he served as a head usher for many years, and where he will always be remembered for wearing his Clan MacGregor kilt on Christmas Eve, delighting all in attendance. Carden is survived by his mother, Caroline Yarnall Brandt; daughters, Laura Chase (Adrien de Formigny) and Elizabeth; their mother, Kristine Miller McGehee; partner, Leslie Ferst; as well as his brother, Stephen (Ruth) and sister, Margaret McGehee (Anne Owens). A loving father, son, husband, partner, and friend, Carden was a true southern gentleman. His charisma, dapper style, gorgeous head of curly black hair and fierce love for his children will always be remembered A memorial service will be held at St. Columba''s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC on Friday, September 9 at 11 a.m. A committal at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to honor Carden by donating to Poplar Forest, St. Columba''s, the University of Virginia, School of Architecture or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society. A memorial service will be held at St. Columba''s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC on Friday, September 9 at 11 a.m. A committal at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to honor Carden by donating to Poplar Forest, St. Columba''s, the University of Virginia, School of Architecture or The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Sep. 6 to Sep. 8, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for CARDEN McGEHEE

Not sure what to say?





Peter G. Hawkins

July 6, 2024

Just saw this. Carden was a wonderful guy.

Peter Hawkins

February 23, 2024

I spent a summer working with Carden at the Weekapaug Inn, RI. Wonderful guy. I am so sorry to read of his obituary - way too soon..... All our love to his family.

peter hawkins

February 23, 2024

we had a summer job together (weekapaug inn). wonderful guy!

September 10, 2016

It was the summer of 1976. Carden and I were working in Saratoga: me at the Triple Crown, and Carden at Lillian's, both on Broadway. One night I went across the street to visit him, and to my surprise he had a new accessory: one silver stud earring. I knew that Lillian's forbade piercings for their male waiters remember, this was 1976 so I asked him about it. He said, Well, Bobbeh (I can't reproduce his accent, and Carden was one of the last people who called me Bobby', as I had recently decided to go by Robert') Bobbeh, my boss said, McGehee, what's with the earring? You know they're not allowed. And I said, Well, it's for the Bicentennial. The Bicentennial? What the hell are you talking about, McGehee? So I told him, Yeah, the Bicentennial. We're celebrating 200 years of independence. So I decided to get this earring to celebrate my independence from the dress code.
I think that anecdote captures some of the things I liked about Carden: he was funny, stylish, and a little bit of a scoundrel. Whatever you happen to believe about this life and the next, I know it's true that a part of us lives on as long as we are remembered by the people who love us. I will remember Carden for the rest of my life. Earring and all.

Robert Massimilian

Anne Wegner

September 10, 2016

Carden was a true gentleman, a consummate professional and an all-around great guy. I am grateful to have known and worked with him and will always remember him. My heart goes out to his his entire family.

September 9, 2016

Your love and kindness will always be remembered. 1 Corinthians 13:8a

Holly Cockrell Pembroke

September 9, 2016

Such fond memories of him from our St. Christophers/St. Catherines days. My heart goes out to his family.

Elizabeth St Denis

September 8, 2016

Much love and many prayers to the Miller & McGehee families at this time of the loss of dear Carden. You are forever in our hearts. Brigid, Nick & Liz

September 7, 2016

A terrific gentleman.

John Eller

September 7, 2016

I met Carden in Tucson in the mid 70s thru Burr Noland Carter III. He introduced me to pink and madras paints. A good man! Gone too soon.

September 7, 2016

We send our love and prayers to all Cardens family. God bless. Theo and Stephen Hayes

September 6, 2016

you were a man that every one thought was kind ,funny ,and someone you wanted to be friends with. Larry Thau

Trevor Vietor

September 6, 2016

A true gentleman, indeed.

Rick Kimball

September 6, 2016

So saddened by the news of Carden's passing. He exemplified the decade where Commercial Real Estate came of age in DC. What a blast we all had in the 80's. You will be missed, old friend!

William and Susan Arzt

September 6, 2016

Prayers for Carden's family in their time of loss, and for Carden whose suffering has ended and he finds peace in God's eternal graces

A great guy and southern gentleman.

September 6, 2016

he had a gift, and what a gift, he brought life to architectural history, freddie nichols a prof of his, used to chuckle with carden on the how and why of structures....a love of beauty and design

Linda Deal

September 6, 2016

You will be miss by so many.

Andy Eichberg

September 5, 2016

Carden was a true gentleman. He had such an easy demeanor that was great to be around. He will be missed.

David Bevirt

September 4, 2016

A true gentleman and a friend. You will be missed.

David Kane

September 4, 2016

Truly one of the great Men among Men I've met in my years in real estate. My Father always used a term when a speaking about a good man. He would say, "That man was a Solid Citizen". Cardin was in fact a Solid Citizen.

Adam Singer

September 3, 2016

I will miss my friend.

Dan Dooley

September 3, 2016

Carden was a very good man. I always enjoyed seeing him at industry events. He will be missed. My condolences and prayers to his loved ones.

Showing 1 - 22 of 22 results

Make a Donation
in CARDEN McGEHEE's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for CARDEN McGEHEE

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Joseph Gawler’s Sons, LLC

5130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

How to support CARDEN's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief

Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
Ways to honor CARDEN McGEHEE's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more