- Date Of Birth: September 6, 1950
- Date Of Death: August 1, 2015
- State: Maryland
George Glover, Jr.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
(7)I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that daya”and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
On Wednesday, September 6, 1950, the incomparable George Glover, Jr. was born at Gallinger Memorial Hospital (later renamed D.C. General Hospital) in S.E. Washington, D.C., to George Glover, Sr. and Nancy Alfreda Williams.
It is not an easy task to encapsulate the life of a man who has lived his life defying convention and norm. As the eldest of five children, George accomplished a great deal for a man raised up in hard times in a single parent home. At the young age of 17, he honorably served in the US Army and traversed the jungles of Vietnam tragically being exposed to Agent Orange. After his return from war, he completed his GED and advanced his education by earning a college degree and other professional certifications. George’s accomplishments didn’t end there, he also secured a commercial trucking license, became the first African American truck driver at Schmidt’s Bakery in Martinsburg, WV, raced thoroughbred horses and mastered the stock market, all while finding time to coach and umpire little league baseball. A favorite motto of his was “if you’re on time, then you’re late so you need to be early to be on time!”
Affectionately known as “Peagie” and “Poppa G”, George’s early years were spent in his birth city where he was educated in the D.C. public school system and then later joined the US Army in 1968. After returning from Vietnam, Velda Jane Brown convinced him to permanently relocate to Martinsburg, WV, where they married and raised their sons, Vincent and Zachary. It was in West Virginia where George discovered his love for the mountains, baseball and children! He even mentored and coached various little league teams, later becoming one of the town’s premiere umpires. George was later blessed with a beautiful daughter, Rasheeda, in 1981.
Through the years, George engaged in several successful ventures. First, in the 80’s he professionally trained to become a long-haul driver where he went to work for Stuart Petroleum and Schmidt’s Bakery. Second, while working, he sought to earn a degree in Business Management and an advanced certification in stock portfolio management. When the truck driver’s union decided to strike, George, a member of Local Teamsters #992, picked up work as a limousine driver chauffeuring movies stars in town to film “All the President’s Men”. He chauffeured larger-than-life personalities such as Martin Sheen, Theresa Russell and George Kennedy… who even purchased an ice cream cone for our George one hot day.
After an accident in the 90’s that left him severely injured and halted his truck driving career, he then went on to pursue a career in thoroughbred horse racing, purchasing two quality horses: “March West” and “Sam Italiano”. These beauties put him in the winners’ circle THREE times in his first year as a major player in that industry.
In 2007 he met and married RenAC.e Michelle McCargo and his family expanded even further to include daughter LaKeisha, son AndrAC. and grandchildren Ernest, DaNausha, Fatima and Amari. His compassion and love for his new family also extended to Aunt Eddie, whom he loved dearly and helped his wife to care for until her passing in September 2014. George and RenAC.e joined the Goshen United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg, MD, where he gave his life to Christ by way of baptism (he referred to as “golden ticket”) in 2012. They both enjoyed a rich Christian life studying God’s word whether in the sanctuary or from the comfort of home when he could no longer physically attend service. An avid Redskins fan, you could find George “posted up” in front of the TV for game time, a good old horserace or a movie that he’d already watched 100 times!
Regardless of who you are or where you were when you encountered him, there is no doubt that you received a blessing when you met George Glover, Jr. It is impossible to capture the essence and color of this man… the mold broken! Conversations with him were raw, brutally honest and never apologetic (lol). You always prayed to be on his good side (right everyone?) to avoid getting your butt chewed, that’s for sure! But what you also know is he was THE ONE that would always come to your aid no matter the hour, the one who taught us that a handshake meant commitment. When he shook your hand and squared you up in the eye, you knew that a “real man” was giving his word! The stories, we’re sure, are limitless when it comes to this character.
During the last five years of his life, George’s light dimmed with cancer and heightened effects of Agent Orange exposure, and was personally cared for by his wife until he died quietly at home on the evening of August 1, 2015 at 64 years of age. George is survived by RenAC.e, his devoted wife; five children: Vincent, Rasheeda (husband Calvin), Zachary (wife Maria), LaKeisha and AndrAC.; five grandchildren: Elijah, Ernest, DaNausha, Fatima and Amari; beloved siblings: Tanya, Kenneth and Sheila; nieces: Rhonda, Marquita, Whitney and London; great nephews: Myles, Trayon and Jaxton; aunts & uncles: Jessabelle, Pauline, Ronald, John and Everette; and many in-laws, cousins, friends and extended family too numerous to list but not forgotten.
George is reunited with his parents George, Sr. and Nancy; grandparents Oliver & Aliza Jane (maternal) and Fred & Azilla (paternal); aunts Anna Mae, Marie “Luttie”, Martha, Beverly Ann and Eddie; and uncles Rogers and Reddick. One sibling, Brenda, predeceases him.
His legacy will be his commitment to God, untold number of lives he affected through his life’s journey and his deep and abiding love for his family. We all continue to believe that God’s love, has, is, and will continue to “never let us go.” George finally rests his weary soul in Him. He has given back the life he owed, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
APPRECIATION
With a humble and prayerful “Thank You”, our family acknowledges with deep appreciation to the many relatives and friends for all acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and spiritual concern extended during the passing of our loved one. May God continue to bless you and keep you in His loving care.
We extend a special acknowledgement to the following dear family and friends whom, without hesitation, gave freely of their time and support (in no particular order): Cheryl Peters, Sharon Jordan, Audrey Walker, Tracey Newman and Harvey Brown.
