George Johnson Reeder

Services: A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 12:30 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with Father Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Visitation: The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, with prayers recited at 7:00PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. George Johnson Reeder, 82 of Hollywood, MD died April 8, 2013 At St. Mary’s Hospital. Born November 22, 1930 in Morganza, MD, he was the son of the late Martha A. Reeder-Sanders and Richard Reeder. George was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Frances Reeder, whom he married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bryantown, MD. George is survived by his children; Margaret C. Healy of Clements, MD, Debra J. Forrest of Ridge, MD, George W. Reeder of SC, Loretta S. Adams of Hollywood, MD, Cynthia Diane Matthews of Fordyce, AK, Kirk D. Reeder of Leonardtown, MD, Rosetta M. Miller of Hollywood, MD, Judith E. James of Mechanicsville, MD, Tina L. Stone of Hollywood, MD, and Christopher R. Tinsley of Lusby, MD. Siblings; Scott Reeder, John “Wayne” Reeder of Hollywood, MD, and Linda M. Clarke, 25 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife George was preceded in death by two sons; Richard J. Reeder, and Rodney A. Reeder, siblings; Richard O. Reeder, James Reeder, William “Billy” Reeder, and Steve D. Reeder. George was born during one of the worst times, The Great Depression. He was the oldest of eight children. From an early age George took on the note of caretaker for his younger siblings, with only a sixth grade education he succeeded with hard work and pure determination to make something of his life. George met his wife Margaret when he was only 18 and she was 16, they married in 1950 and through the years had 11 children. In between making babies he found time to have many business adventures. George chose to do what he loved, working on cars, he struggled and worked hard to have a business of his own- Georges Body Shop. During this time he also had many other occupations, G&R Construction, Georges Used Cars and in the later years he also found pleasure in building motor homes. During this time he enjoyed vacations with his family to Florida and taking pleasure out of seeing his children enjoy themselves. For someone that had such a trying and hard childhood, he made it a point to make sure we as his children had some of the enjoyment and comforts that he never had. Not only as his children do we believe that he was a great man, but many people that knew him believed the same. George could be a bear if the situation called for it, but for the most part a man with a heart of gold. He will be greatly missed and always loved. The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM, with prayers recited at 7:00PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 12:30 PM in the Funeral home chapel with Father Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be; Brandon R. Adams, Blake D. Reeder, Evan P. Reeder, Tyler G. Reeder, Bruce J. Adams, and Chris Tinsley. Honorary pallbearers will be; J.J. Stone, Jr., and Christopher Forrest. Memorial contributions may be made to the COPD Foundation, 2937 SW-27th Ave. #302, Miami, FL 33133 and/or NPCF (Pancreas Foundation), P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502 Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.