Colonel George John Stapleton went to his last bivouac at St Simons Island GA on Tuesday 8 November 2011. To those who knew him, his life can be summarized as follows: “He loved his God, his Family and his Country,” and he was the epitome of an “Officer and a Gentleman.”
Colonel Stapleton was born in Detroit MI in 1932, the only son of Colonel George A. Stapleton and Marie Lieb Stapleton. After graduation from the University of Detroit High School in 1950, he enlisted in the Michigan National Guard. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in 1956 upon his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, after which he served in various Airborne assignments in the States, Germany and Vietnam. Other notable assignments included duty as a Company Tactical Officer at West Point, Squadron Air Officer Commanding at the US Air Force Academy, US Army Program Manager for the MILES Training and Simulation System and Deputy Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program. He earned a Masters of Arts Degree in Political Science from Auburn University in 1971 and was a graduate of the US Army War College and the US Air Force Command and Staff College. During his army career, he was awarded a number of military honors including the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, US Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, USAF Commendation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Wings and both the Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.
Retiring from active service in 1984, he joined Loral Electro-Optical Systems, a Defense Aerospace Company in Pasadena CA, where he served as the International Marketing Manager for Combat Simulation and Training Systems. In 1991, he joined another Defense Aerospace Team, Cubic Corp. in San Diego CA, where he served as the Vice President for Cubic Defense Systems and in 1996 as President of Cubic Sales Ltd. in the Middle East.
After retiring again in 2002, Colonel Stapleton served his community as the President and Scholarship Chair of the Military Officers Association, Membership Chair of the St Simons Land Trust, President of the Coastal Georgia Civil War Round Table, President of the Parish Council at St. William Catholic Church and served on numerous Boards and committees. He is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National WWII Memorial, National Infantry Association, Army Athletic Association, Society of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Army Historical Foundation, Association of the US Army, West Point Association of Graduates, Army War College Foundation, Gettysburg Foundation and Coastal GA Historical Society. He is a founding member of the Sea Island Company and a dedicated Washington Redskin and Detroit Tiger fan.
He is survived by his best friend and loving wife, Lynell Searcy Stapleton, his three sons from his first marriage to Peggy Morris Stapleton: George, Boiling Springs PA, Greg (Becky) Lexington KY, and Doug (Chicago); his four step-children, Teri Parr (Tom) Troy MI, Sande Johnson (Jim) Bailey CO, Malcolm Meekison (Stephanie) Brunswick GA and Mark Meekison, Bailey CO; his eleven grandchildren, Jessica, Holly, Samantha, Nicholas, Tommy, Morgan, Tess, Joshua, Tyler, Tori and Zoe; and three great grandchildren, Alexandria Marie, Jeremiah and Jonah. He is survived by two sisters Barbara Marie Armstrong Dearborn Heights MI and Mary Helen Bolling (Bob) Howell MI, numerous nieces and nephews and many wonderful Classmates and friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday 17 November from 5 o’clock until 8’oclock pm at Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at St William Catholic Church on St Simons Island on Friday 18 November, at 10:30 am followed by a reception in the Church Hall. There will be a graveside service, with full Military Honors, at the United States Military Academy, West Point NY on Wednesday 23 November at 1:30 pm. A reception celebrating his life follow at the Thayer Hotel. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Cancer Society or Hospice of the Golden Isles.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, 3321 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, GA 31520 (912) 265-3636. www.edomillerandsons.com
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