George Robert Dramis

George Dramis, age 99, passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Born November 23, 1924, to George G. Dramis and Mary Rich in Ashtabula, Ohio. After graduating from Ashtabula High School, he married his high school sweetheart Shirley Johnson on March 4, 1944. He is survived by his twin sons, Jim and John. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirly Johnson Dramis, son Randy; infant daughter Carol; and sister Carmel. George Dramis was a grandfather of four: Forest (son of Randy and Mattie Dramis); Joel, Josh, Jonathan (sons of Jim and Joan Dramis). Also, he was a great grandfather of two great-grandchildren, Abby and Caleb (children of Joel and Rachael Dramis).

When George returned as a World War II veteran, he talked about being a radio operator and not too much else in detail, but many years later he was able to reveal more about his experiences.

In 1944, George was one of the 1,100 solders in the U.S. Army’s 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (now given the name “Ghost Army”). After the D-Day invasion at Normandy, the Ghost Army’s primary job was to deceive the German military as to the whereabouts of Army divisions. George was a radio operator for this unit which remained classified until 1996. Ghost Army Legacy Project’s years-long push to get a government bill passed so that George and others would be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal. Finally, a ceremony was held for this in the US Congress, but it was two days after his passing.

At a recent ceremony at the Waltonwood Lake Boone senior living community in Raleigh, NC, George was honored in many ways for his service during WW II including that Saturday, July 23, 2022 had been proclaimed “George Dramis Day” by the Raleigh city mayor.

George’s many interests were reading about WW II, playing the guitar, ukulele, piano, and playing golf (he had recorded his third hole-in-one at age 85). George retired in 1990 as president of A. Louise Supply Co. in Ashtabula, Ohio. George and Shirley had traveled to Europe many times and revisited areas where George served in World War II

George was a long-time member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, NC, has assisted the family after the passing of George at Transitions LifeCare in Raleigh, NC. Online condolences may be sent to www.dignitymemorial.com.

Plans are still being formed for a “celebration of life” that includes military honors for George. Please visit this site for further information regarding the time & date for this event.