George Wilkins Obituary

George Edward Wilkins, Major U.S. Army Retired, 79, passed away on April 23, 2008 at home in Colorado Springs under the care of Pikes Peak Hospice. George was born on February 19, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI to Ward and Harriet Wilkins. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1966 and then worked for the Department of Defense from 1966 to retirement in 1987. George enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 17. He was commissioned to Major in October of 1953. George served overseas tours in Panama, Germany, Hawaii and Korea. During his career he studied Military Science, Business Administration and Mathematics at the Universities of Maryland and New Mexico. Special military studies included Electrical and Electronic Theory, Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Weaponry. At the time of his retirement at Sandia Base, Albuquerque, NM, 1966 he was Chief of Plans, Atomic Weapons Training Group for the Defense Atomic Support Agency. After retirement George served an additional 20 years supporting the U.S. Army Air Defense Command, SAFEGUARD Anti-Ballistic Missile Operations at Ent Air Force Base and Fort Carson. George was a member in the Sunrise Sertoma Club and was a life member in the Military Officers Association of America. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. His interests included working on cars, computer programming and camping in the Colorado mountains with his family. He spent many hours working jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He had a love for music and enjoyed playing the violin and harmonica. George is survived by his loving wife, Leona Margaret (Fitzgerald). They were married at West Point on August 20, 1950. George is the father of seven children. He is survived by Nancy Wilkins of Holdrege, NE, Stephen (Lisa) Wilkins of Colorado Springs, Sheila (David) McConnaughey of Colorado Springs, Kathleen (Mark) Heberlein of Viroqua, WI and Laura Wilkins of Chandler, AZ. He was preceded in death by son, Patrick, daughter, Patricia and sister, June Seals. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren: Jillian, Melanie and Elliott Wilkins, Scott, Daniel, Lauren and Chelsea Genduso, Megan, Elizabeth, Amy and Emily McConnaughey, Padraic, Molly, Eamon and Brendan Heberlein. He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Riley and Evan. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, April 27, 2008 at Evergreen Funeral Home, 1830 E. Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, April 28, 2008 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 S. Hancock Blvd., Colorado Springs, Colorado.