George James Roman Jr.

We lost our “Dad”/Pop/Grandpa on January 1, 2026, after a prolonged and debilitating illness.

George was born in Elkton, Maryland to George Roman, Sr. and Lola Rebecca McCall and grew up in Cherry Hill, Maryland.

First and foremost, George had a strong calling to serve the community, which he did in numerous ways. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959-1963, including stints at Lackland and Maxwell AFBs. During these years, George did plenty of “howling at the moon" on weekends as a drummer in several bands, from honky-tonks to the governor’s mansion.

After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, George began assisting his Delaware community through over 30 years of dedicated service with the Claymont Fire Company, beginning in 1970. During this time, he advanced from basic firefighter to EMT to Captain and ultimately to Deputy Chief.

As if volunteering at the Fire Company wasn’t enough, in 1985 George rediscovered Scouting with his son, Jamie. What followed, could fairly be described as a “love affair” that lasted over 40 years. During that span of time, he progressed from Scout dad to Cubmaster to Scoutmaster to District Committee member. Scouting highlights include Wood Badge, Order of the Arrow, Philmont, multiple Jamborees and too many summer camps to list. It’s hard to estimate the number of young lives impacted in a positive way from the scouting regimen provided by George. We’ve lost count of the young and grown men who have shared valuable life lessons learned under his scouting tutelage.

George was also a longtime member of the Freemasons, serving both at the Eastern Star Lodge #186 and the Granite-Corinthian Lodge #34. He was granted the 32° (Scottish Rite Valley of Wilmington).

Although noteworthy and laudable, all this volunteering did not buy many groceries, so George also worked. After his Air Force days, he worked a number of jobs during his career, starting in the General Foods mailroom in 1963. In 1969, George worked as an inspector for the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he met his future wife, Judy, and stapled her pantlegs to the desk in an effort to keep her around. In 1970, he went to work for the Gulf Oil/Chevron/Sun Oil refinery in Philadelphia. He worked multiple positions before his retirement in 1996, advancing from a laborer to Training Supervisor and Process Safety Manager.

Throughout his professional career, George was deeply involved in the writing of detailed instructions. This included employee health and safety procedure manuals, OSHA requirements, and first aid instruction. He also created and designed Chevron’s first Safety Training Manual along with an extensive catalog of visual aids. As many of us know, George’s compulsion to meticulously detail processes in writing was not limited to his professional career. It overflowed freely into his personal life. A casual glance at the kitchen table will reveal “Grandpa Roman’s Maintenance Playbook for 606 Willow Lane”. This playbook contains a plethora of instructions for the maintenance of household appliances, upkeep of yard equipment, and performance of routine car maintenance for every season of the year. When all the maintenance is done, let’s not forget “Knots Every Household Should Learn”.

George is predeceased by his daughter, Talley Lynn Roman, his son, George James Roman, III, and his faithful, 4-legged companion, Sabe. He is survived by his wife, Judith Keene Roman, his children L. Suzanne Robeson (Todd E.) of Bear, DE, Timothy G. Tweed (Karen A.) of Williamsburg, VA, and Lauranda J. Tweed of Williamsburg, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren and a great-grandchild: Andrew D. Robeson (Cori), Emily G. Robeson (Elle), Matthew R. Robeson, Connor P. Tweed, Hannah C. Robeson, Erin J. Tweed, and Ramona T. Robeson.

George is also survived by his extended family – his “children of the heart”: a core group of people who may or may not be related by blood, who have all been granted keys to the inner sanctum, and who were faithful in their support of George and family to his last day. You know who you are and thank you all.

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Services will be held at 4:00PM on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at NICHOLS-GILMORE FUNERAL HOME, 212 E. Justis St. Newport, DE 19804 where visitation will begin at 2:30PM.

Interment with full military honors will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends a donation to either Delmarva Scouting or Troop 99:

If donating to council: 

Delmarva Scouting

RE: In Memory of George Roman, Jr.

1910 Baden Powell Way Dover, DE 19904

If donating to the troop:

Covenant Community Service

Attn: Scouting Troop 99 - Memory of SM George Roman, Jr. 

503 Duncan Road Wilmington, DE 19809

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning,

nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.