GEORGE J. GABIK, SATELLITE BEACH

Lt. Col. George Joseph Gabik, (USAF, Ret.) 87, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 25, 2008. George and his twin brother, Walter were born to Walter and Mary Gabik, March 26,1921 in Carrollville, Wisconsin.

After completing basic training he was assigned to Hickman Field, Hawaii. He was a Pearl Harbor survivor and received a Purple Heart for wounds he received on December 7, 1941. It was during that attack that George decided he would never be caught on the ground again.

He loved to fly, and entered Cadet Flight Training School upon his return to the US in 1943. After completing flight school, he was assigned to the 475th Fighter Group, 433rd Squadron, flying the P-38. Of all the aircraft he flew during his military career, the P-38 was the aircraft he truly loved. He survived several aerial dog fights and shot down two enemy fighter planes in the Pacific Theater, and was award ed the Distinguished Flying Cross. He also saw combat in Korea flying F-80s.

During Georges military career he and his family were transferred to assignments in the US and Japan. He transferred to PAFB in 1957, where he retired in 1961. He worked at Cape Canaveral AFS and KSC on Titan 3, Saturn, Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs from 1961-1986, and was a Snoopy Award recipient.

He was instrumental in bringing the American Junior Bowling Congress(AJBC) to Brevard County. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Karolynne daughter, Karla Dean (Billy Selvidge); sons, Koral Gabik (Diane) and Joel Gabik (Cathy); brother, Francis Gabik, CA, and sister, Angeline Lemcke, WI; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. The Gabik family is truly blessed to have wonderful friends who have shared in George and Karolynnes celebrations during their life together.

The family invites friends to join them in a Celebration of Georges Life at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, September 14th at Meander, 6585 S. Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL.

We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Abe Hardoon and Dr. Richard Unger, as well as his CNAs and Vitas Innovative Hospice for the compassionate care they provided George. George is welcomed to Heaven by his parents and brothers, Stanley, Raymond, and twin brother, Walter.

Expressions of sympathy are asked to consider donations to The Brevard Alzheimers Foundation or The Autism Research Foundation. Arrangements by Beckman Williamson Funeral Home.