Obituary: Sloan, George Edward (Ed)

George Edward Sloan (Ed), 89, of Beltsville, MD, passed away May 31, 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

A memorial service/celebration of life will take place at the Beltsville Seventh-day Adventist church on June 14, 2025 at 4:00pm.

Ed was born to Alta LaVerne (Zimmerman) and Paul Stuart Sloan on March 16, 1936 in Detroit, MI, where they lived while his father finished up medical school.  When he was less than a year old, the family moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, eventually settling in Houghton for the remainder of his childhood.  Ed grew up playing baseball, hockey, and basketball, sports were very important to him.  Ed’s father was a country doctor, and Ed accompanied him on calls many nights as a young boy, which influenced his decision to become a medic in the US Navy.  

After serving as a combat medic in Viet Nam with a US Marine squadron, he continued his career in the military, completing three tours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (formerly known as Bethesda Naval Hospital) in medical research at NMRI (Navy Medical Research Institute), as a lab tech and lab supervisor.  He and his family also spent three years in Guam, in between his tours at Walter Reed.  Ed was dedicated to his work, and well respected by both his peers and supervisors.  He earned many awards and commendations for his attention to detail, professional knowledge, and ability to supervise.  He retired from active duty in 1976, and two days later began his civil service career as a research lab supervisor, retiring from that in 1990.

Ed actively played sports while in the Navy, and could often be found on the basketball court or softball field.  He was a dependable player, reliable in clutch situations.  He also enjoyed watching all sports on TV, rooting for the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Tigers.  He often mentioned little known facts about the players moments before the announcers did.  

After retirement, his annual fall trips to the family camp in Michigan were extended, and he greatly enjoyed his time up there visiting his mother and other relatives.  He made numerous trips to Vermont, where his daughter lived with her family.  The years 1997 and 2000 were very special to Ed, as they marked the birth of his grandsons.   He loved the new title of “Grandpa Ed”!  His dogs always traveled with him to Michigan and Vermont, they were his faithful companions, and daily hiking partners.

Ed never missed sending a card or giving a call to friends and family for birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions, and he never threw a card away that he received!  He had a smile for everyone.  Ed lived in the same house in Beltsville for over 50 years, and his neighbors have always been a big part of his life.   He was referred to as the Mayor of Yates Road, as he would take in neighbors mail, let their dogs out, and just generally know what was happening in everyone’s life.  They were his Yates Road Family, and his family are grateful that they were part of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Joann; his daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Steve Wheeler of Richmond, VT; two grandsons, Drew Wheeler of Norristown, PA and Jacob Wheeler of Essex Junction, VT; and his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Rhodetta Sloan of Helena, Montana.

He was predeceased by his parents; two sisters, Christine Sloan and Paula Banfield; a brother, Mike Sloan; and his son, Marc Lee Sloan.

Special thanks to the medical staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, especially the nursing team on 4 West!