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George Berko died February 11, 2023, at home in Tumwater, Washington. He suffered unrelenting seizures related to neurofibromatosis and prior brain surgery and irradiation in 2013.

 

George was born December 22, 1953, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  His parents, Mykolaj and Anna Olga Berko, were Ukrainian refugees who met in 1947 in a refugee camp in Ulm, Germany, after World War II. His two older siblings, Victor and Ludmila, were born there.  The family came to the United States via Ellis Island on March 12, 1951. They settled in Fort Wayne where they were part of a large Ukrainian Russian Orthodox community. George’s father was a housepainter and his mother cleaned houses.  The family had a large backyard garden, where they grew most of their own vegetables. George’s parents and older siblings spoke primarily Ukrainian initially, but George was more fluent in English.

 

He graduated from South Side High School in Fort Wayne in June 1973.  He reportedly was quiet and studious, ran cross country, and worked part time.  He was also the only male student in the school at that time to enroll in Home Economics.  His goal was to attend the Cordon Bleu but learning French was challenging.

 

George enlisted in the U.S. Navy June 15, 1973.  He attended basic training at Naval Base Great Lakes, then moved to the Combat Systems Technical Schools at Mare Island, California, where he achieved his Fire Control rating.  Over the next several years, he developed particular expertise in the Sea Sparrow defensive surface missile system.

 

He retired as a Command Master Chief on September 30, 2001.  Of his 28 years in the Navy, more than six years were spent at sea and two years living abroad.  His domestic duty stations included Pascagoula, Mississippi, the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Coronado, Honolulu, and Bangor, Washington.  He was part of the crew of the USS Tarawa (1974-1977), the USS Oldendorf (1978-1981), the USS Roanoke (1984-1987), and the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (1991-1994).   

 

He lived abroad in Japan, the Philippines, and even Antarctica.  He visited every continent.  Wherever he went, he made friends with people of all walks of life, especially local open-air produce sellers and street food vendors.

 

While on active duty, he obtained a BA in Business in 1998 from Chapman University and a Masters in Education in 2000 from Old Dominion.

 

George was involved in combat support missions in Southwest Asia, Desert Storm, and Desert Shield.   He spent 25 years teaching Navy Leadership, becoming a Master Training Specialist.  He was also extremely proud of his roles in rescuing Vietnamese refugees.  He also participated in the simultaneous evacuation of roughly 20,000 Americans from Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Force Base during the 1991 Mount Pinatubo volcanic explosion in the Philippines.   

 

He received two Bronze Stars for service in Southwest Asia, two Humanitarian Service Medals, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, two Navy “E” ribbons, a Pistol Marksmanship Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, a Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.

 

George and Marilyn met in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 17, 1997.  They fell in love before Valentine’s Day. Marilyn was already committed to moving to Washington state.  George reportedly asked a favor from an admiral to get himself transferred to Bangor to be near her and her children.  For six years, the couple commuted between Silverdale and Olympia.   They married January 3, 2004, in a blizzard at the Schmidt Mansion in Tumwater. The wedding featured a live quartet, a lovely fire, and wonderful friends and family.  Everyone made it home safely!

 

George was always a wonderful father and grandfather to his stepchildren and step grandchildren, even in the most challenging times. The family also hosted four exchange students.

 

After military retirement, George spent a year studying culinary arts and working as a food safety inspector. He then worked managing troop housing at McChord AFB. Finally, he spent a decade of his most gratifying work in retirement as an education counselor for Thomas Edison University, helping soldiers and sailors achieve their own educations through distance learning programs.

 

George ran many marathons and remained extremely fit into his late 50s.  Marilyn and George were avid day hikers.  Memorable trips included rafting the Rogue River, and exploring the Four Corners, Guatemala, San Miguel de Allende, and Loreto, Mexico.   The couple enjoyed concerts, plays, and speaking events. George’s other hobbies included cooking fabulous meals, spoiling his pets, visiting the Olympia Farmers Market, collecting coins, and following the Seahawks.  

 

Marilyn and George volunteered in Haiti in 2010.  At home, George volunteered with the Disabled American Veterans, the Olympia Animal Shelter, and the Wounded Warrior Program.  He gave regularly to SafePlace and the Olympia Gospel Mission.  He befriended many a homeless person and anyone who needed a hand.

 

George was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Victor. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Berko of Tumwater; stepsons, Sean Ahearn of Memphis, Tennessee, and Ryan Ahearn of Hillsboro, Oregon; stepdaughter, Marissa Ahearn of Auburn, Washington; step grandchildren, Hayden Ahearn of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Skyler Ingram of Mount Olive, North Carolina; and sister, Ludmila Roebel, her son, Bryce Roebel, his wife, Liz Roebel, and their children, Ava Roebel and Colin Roebel, all of Fort Wayne. 

 

Ryan, Hayden and Marilyn were privileged to help provide comfort care for George through Hospice during his last few days. His sister, Luda, and Marilyn were at his side when he passed.

 

We thank the Providence neuro-intensivists and their phenomenal staff, Providence Palliative Care, Spiritual Care, and Hospice caregivers with all our hearts. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice or any of George’s favorite charities.

 

There are two opportunities to honor George:

 

Celebration of Life 

Saturday, October 14, 2023

1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Program will take place between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Light snacks and drinks.  Full menu and beverages available.

River’s Edge

4611 Tumwater Valley Dr. SE 

Tumwater, WA 98512

360-753-5100

RSVP to Marilyn: dawnsong53@gmail.com

 

Memorial Service with Military Honors

Monday, October 16, 2023, 1:00 p.m.

Tahoma National Cemetery

18600 SE 240th St.

Kent, WA 98402

Contact Marilyn for details by email (above) or at 360-250-9135. 

 

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George Berko Obituary | Altogether