Medich, George Nickolas, 84, passed away on March 8, 2009 at the Greenbriar Nursing Home in Bradenton. George was the eldest son of Nick Medich and Sallie Mae Newman Medich, now deceased, formerly of Lithia, FL. George attended schools in Lithia and enlisted in the US Navy, early during World War II. He served aboard the USS Lamson in the Pacific theater action, experiencing being rescued with his shipmates, from a destructive Japanese kamikaze plane attack on the USS Lamson. George never talked much about WWII but occasionally would say, "death was all around me."
During World War II, George met his wife, Barbara Armstrong of Fargo, North Dakota. Barbara was employed in a Bremerton, Washing Defense Plant. When George and Barbara returned to Lithia, they were the proud parents of their first born, George Nickolas Medich, Jr.
As a member of a large family, George helped with the chores of a farm family, including harvesting and the maintenance of the strawberries. The Medich family were members of the Lithia Holiness Church, where George accepted Christ and was baptized. His Christian faith was his stronghold. George will be remembered for his caring touch for the young members of his family. He and his oldest sister, Virginia, were very protective and helpful with their siblings.
After his return from the Navy, George joined his father and brothers driving big trucks interstate. He retired from Tropicana and lived in Riverview and Ellenton until his death.
George is survived by his two children, George Nickolas Medich, Jr. and his wife Teva of Riverview, FL and Sandy Smith of Inverness, FL; brothers, Wayne Medich of Plant City, and Nickie Medich of Jackson, GA; sisters, Lura Virginia Lee of Dade City, FL, Marion Dean of Gibsonton, Rosalyn "Ro" Bazzell of Tallahassee, FL and Sally Ruth Watson of Dade City, FL; four grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, March, 13, 2009 at 11:00 am at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Pelote Cemetery in Lithia.
From a family of seven children, God chose George to be the first to "break the Circle".
He will live in the hearts of the Medich family, and all who knew him, forever.