OBITUARY: George L. Warde

George Lewis Warde, age 94, of Lebanon, passed away on June 10, 2025. The Graveside Service and inurnment will be at the Nashville National Cemetery.

He was born in Monroe, CT to Helen Fessenden Smith Warde and George S. Warde. George Lewis Warde joined the United States Army where he spent most of his 24-year military career in Radio-TV/Public Affairs with assignments in Germany, Korea, Japan, Vietnam and at various posts in the U.S. After retiring from the Army in 1979 from the Fort Hood TX III Corps, Public Affairs Office.

While a member of the Special Forces at the John F. Kennedy Center for Special Warfare at Ft. Bragg NC, Mr. Warde produced and aired military news programs about and for the Special Forces over TV station WRAL, Raleigh NC, and other stations. In addition to hosting various morning radio wake-up programs around the world, Mr. Warde also managed many military radio/TV stations in the 1950’s and 60’s and was News Director, Far East Network, Tokyo, in the 1970’s.

As an instructor at the Defense Information School when at David’s Island at Ft. Slocum, New Rochelle NY, he was the school’s first “on-air talent” when TV finally came to the Information School. Mr. Warde also worked as an on-air personality at WCKY, Cincinnati and several other radio stations in Ohio, Rhode Island, and North Carolina.

With many and varied interests, Mr. Warde was an inveterate collector. His family had resided in Connecticut for almost 375 years and prior to moving to Maryland had to sell his 10,000 plus record collection and nearly 600 old books with many dating from the 1700’s. An active magician for more than 30 years and a 45-years member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and Order of Merlin, Mr. Warde performed at many events, parties, and on TV. He was also active in the Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster in Maryland and Tokyo and was a member of the Order of the Arrow, Hinode Goya Lodge, Tokyo.

Mr. Warde spent about 16 years in Korea in the military and as a civilian working for the Army and with several private companies. He also taught conversational Korean on TV in Korea. Mr. Warde was born in Monroe CT, attending school in Connecticut, Franklin MA, Yellow Springs OH, and was graduated from Western Connecticut State University, Magna Cum Laude, with a degree in Communications.

He was awarded a Master’s degree in Library Science and Instructional Technology from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven while working full time for a Connecticut library. He retired from the position to go overseas, again, as an Army Librarian in 1986.

Mr. Warde was also an Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State University where he taught Media. After working in the Eighth U.S. Army Yong San Library in Seoul Korea for several years, Mr. Warde accepted a position as a Law Librarian at the Department of Commerce in Washington DC where he specialized in legislative reference work. He retired again, for the third time, after almost ten years.

Mr. Warde’s father was a metallurgist with the Bridgeport Brass company, a member of the Republican Town Committee, and the Republican Registrar of Voters for 25 years. He was an officer in the Connecticut National Guard. Mr. Warde’s God-father was Major General Seldon Mott.

Mr. Warde was a member of the Fort Meade Episcopal congregation in MD, and the Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and was also a Master Mason and York Rite member. As a youth he belonged to the Children of the American Revolution.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mrs. Lee K.J. Warde of Lebanon TN; two sons: George S. Warde, his wife Sarah Warde, and Andrew E. Warde, his wife Alina Warde, two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to USO (United Services Organization) or DAV (Disabled American Veterans) in his honor.