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<p><em>George Crawford Wildrick</em> was born to Edith and Warren Newcomb Wildrick, USMA 1936, on September 14, 1950 in Washington, DC. George’s father was on the staff and faculty of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He later served at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH and retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1963. Brother Tim served in the Army Special Forces and brother Tony had a career in architecture. Throughout his youth, his family called George “Terry,” which foreshadowed his life love, Teri Allbright.</p>
<p>A 1968 graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, FL, George received an honor school appointment to West Point. In doing so, he joined ancestors and family members in attending West Point, including members of the classes of 1857, 1882, 1936 and 1985. Upon graduation, George was commissioned as a second lieutenant in his beloved Armor branch. Classmates said that George had known since his first day at West Point that he would be an Armor officer. He spent 12 years as an Armor officer with assignments to units in Korea, Egypt, and the United States. After leaving the Army, George earned a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He then embarked on a 25-year career with General Dynamics, working in Saudi Arabia and as an Armor advisor to the Egyptian and Moroccan armies before retiring near Detroit, MI.</p>
<p>In Company B-2, George excelled in all things military, physical, and academic. Companymate Ed Freund recalls that, as a plebe, George was intimidating to his classmates because he could recite the days, call minutes and spout plebe poop flawlessly, as though he had been practicing for years. He was extensively knowledgeable about West Point history and would expound in great detail about the many monuments and historical sites around the Academy. Companymate Larry Baltezore remembers George as someone who loved being in the military; he thoroughly enjoyed his time as a cadet. Roommate John LaSala remembers George as a fellow Star Trek fan who excelled in Federation trivia. </p>
<p>Roommate Bob Allbright’s family drove up to West Point from Texas for Plebe Parent Weekend in March 1969. Bob set up George on a date with his sister Teri, not knowing that this was the beginning of a lifelong love affair. George and Teri never lost contact with each other and, more than 30 years later, were married in the Cadet Chapel at West Point on April 29, 2006. They established a home in Michigan, where George worked for General Dynamics, retiring in 2012. In retirement, George pursued his interests in military history and weaponry. He was a member of the Clinton River Muzzleloaders, which conducted interpretative demonstrations of life in the Americas in the 18th century. At most Muzzleloader events, George was accompanied by his loyal Labrador, Range.</p>
<p>George was a direct descendant of Dr. Joseph Warren, “physician, spymaster, patriot and general,” as well as the first Grand Master of Ancient Scottish Rite Masons in North America. George assisted author Christian Di Spigna in researching and writing <em>Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero</em>. In 2013 George was invited to speak at the annual Bunker Hill ceremony in Boston about Warren’s role in the American Revolution and his death in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Teri serves on the board of the Dr. Joseph Warren Foundation, established to honor both Dr. Warren and George; George was the founder of its scholarship program. </p>
<p>In 2018 George traveled to France for ceremonies marking the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I. While in France, he used his grandfather’s war-time journals to retrace his steps as a colonel and regimental commander in World War I.</p>
<p>In retirement, George and Teri enjoyed Mediterranean cruises with classmates and spouses, as well as attending class reunions at West Point. George was a prolific collector during his travels; visitors to his and Teri’s home often compared it to a museum. He was a connoisseur of international cuisine and was a frequent contributor to the Shelby Township Gourmet Club, and an ardent participator in trivia contests.</p>
<p>In April 2020, George developed abdominal pain that led to his being hospitalized. A biopsy revealed he was in the final stages of terminal liver cancer. George died on May 6, 2020 and was interred at the West Point Cemetery. George is survived by his son, Abram Crawford Wildrick (Nadia); grandchildren Abram and Sophia; his brother, Tony (Mary); and nieces Sarah Wildrick Hamilton (Craig) and Eva Wildrick.</p>
<p>All who knew George described him as “an upbeat guy who loved life and enjoyed the people around him. He always had a smile on his face.” John LaSala recalls asking George what the value was in studying history. After some contemplation, George answered John by saying, “If you believe the nature of man does not change, then history is predictive of the future.” </p>
<p>In his book <em>The Pioneers</em>, historian David McCullough described one of his characters in words that could easily apply to George: “…he was endowed with boundless intellectual curiosity. It may be said he was a university unto himself… [a man] of great and varied excellence who took an interest in nearly everything.” </p>
<p>George, we will miss you. Be Thou at Peace.</p>
<p><em>— Teri Wildrick and Bob Allbright</em></p>
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