Obituary
George Stanley Aughenbaugh, late of Winter Park, Florida, passed away suddenly due to COVID-19 pneumonia on January 14, 2022, at AdventHealth Winter Park Hospital.
Born on April 25, 1930, in Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania, George served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1971, at the end of the Korean War and during the Vietnam War. An important part of his service began during the Korean War, when he was deployed to France from Alexandria, Louisiana, on a troopship. The Atlantic was a rough crossing for him and his troop. They were packed like sardines, and everyone on the ship got sick. Only three days after George arrived in France, he was sent to Germany, because he contracted pneumonia due to the crossing. Although very ill, he counted himself lucky to be alive. After a month of being in the hospital, he returned back to France. He recalled his time there as pretty decent. Following France, he traveled back to Fort Dix in New Jersey, where he reupped because he wanted to stay in the military. From there he was assigned to Andrews Airforce Base near Washington D.C. where he served on the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, until transferred to Brindisi Italy. While stationed at Andrews Air Force Base George went on a fateful blind date with Mary L. Harris. After Brindisi Italy, George was then stationed in Hof/Saale, Germany until 1967, where he then was stationed in Goodfellow Air Force base in San Angelo, Texas where he retired in 1971.
George and Mary would have been married 62 years on April 10, 2022. George was a family man, who loved to share stories of his days in the Air Force whenever he got the chance. He was very proud when, his youngest granddaughter, Ashley, enlisted in the Air Force and has now attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Besides that, he loved having conversations with his beloved cat Missy, who would meow right back. As a train enthusiast, he dreamed of riding the new SunRail in Florida but never got the chance. George also enjoyed, fishing, watching the Little League World Series every year, along with watching football and basketball. After having a stroke in 2021, he also loved watching the Olympics Channel and a fan who was riveted by the Summer Olympics in Tokyo and yearned to see February’s Winter Olympics in Beijing. George also had a big sweet tooth and especially loved gummy bears after his time eating them while in Germany.
George is survived by his wife, Mary L. Aughenbaugh; his daughters, Belinda K. Aughenbaugh, and Karen M. (Cary) McDaniel; his grandchildren, A. Nichole McDaniel, A. Nicholas McDaniel, and Ashley N. (Jeremy P.) Jenkins; and his great-grandson, Kayden I. Jenkins. George was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy J. Aughenbaugh, and Flora S. (Kraft) Aughenbaugh; his siblings, Helen R. Aughenbaugh, Viola G. Aughenbaugh, Joseph John Aughenbaugh, Junior L. Aughenbaugh, and Dale Kraft Aughenbaugh.
A ceremony where George will receive full honors will be held on April 25, from 11am to 11:20am, at Beaufort National Cemetery, at 1601 Boundary St in Beaufort, S.C. Please arrive by 10:45am. A memorial service will be held on April 25, at 12pm, at St John’s Lutheran Church, at 157 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort, with refreshments following the service. The family requests attendees wear George’s favorite color: any shade of Blue. There will be a live stream on Facebook for those who are unable to attend in person. Details to follow for the live stream. In lieu of flowers please send condolences to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 195 S Main St., Mount Wolf, PA 17347, in George’s name.
I am so sorry about George. He was a pretty good fella. He did live a very full and interesting life. I know that these times have been very hard for you, but you all have been in our thoughts and prayers. I know that we serve a GREAT BIG GOD that will surely see you through all of this.
Love, Charlotte and Wayne