Gary Lee Eldridge, age 73, of Centreville, VA, passed away suddenly on December 21, 2021, at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, VA.
Born in 1948 to the late William Robert Eldridge, Jr. and Mary Ellen (Carter) Eldridge, in Harriman, TN, Gary is the beloved husband of Linda D. Eldridge, his wife of 34 years; and devoted father of Gregory Engels (Amy), Paola Eldridge Ruff (Eric), Arianna Hodges (James), and Sandi L. Wininger. As a young man, Gary relocated with his family from Tennessee to the Washington, DC area. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam from 1968 – 1969, in the US Army Infantry 23rd America Division, the 101st Airborne Division, and then the 123rd Aviation Battalion Co B Aero Scouts�Warlords. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, and subsequently a Bronze Star with V for valor- the latter two given to those who distinguish themselves by heroic actions in combat. Upon returning home to his family from military service, he began his career in the building trades as a steamfitter, retiring as a master plumber and owner of Homeowners Plumbing and Heating, in 2010.

Gary was an avid outdoorsman his entire life and was a long-time member of the Potomac Bass Masters.  He spent many summers with his wife and their children boating and sailing at the Lusby, MD, home of his cherished mother and father-in-law, the late Horace (Dunc) and Frances Duncan.  As a proud (yet modest) military veteran, he was honored to volunteer his time in continued service to the Wounded Warriors Project, and greatly valued the many hours he spent hunting and talking with young service men and women at Marine Corps Base Quantico, VA .
Gary was a long-time member of the McLean Bible Church in Lansdowne, VA, and held his church family close to his heart via his service as a member of the First Response Team and in the Special Needs Ministry.  He dearly loved his family and many friends, and treasured spending time with them all; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren most especially.  In addition to his wife and children, Gary is survived by his loving sister, Rhonda Rosario (Abraham); grandchildren Ryan Eldridge, Carolyn Carr (David), Holly Engels, Madison Wininger, Sabrina Hodges, and
Hope Wininger; four great-grandchildren; his beloved family and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurel M. Stafford, and most recently his brother, William Robert Eldridge, III.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at the Cornerstone Chapel, 650 Battlefield Parkway, SE, Leesburg, VA 20175. A graveside service will immediately follow at the National Funeral Home & National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Final arrangements provided by Colonial Funeral Home, Leesburg, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gary's memory to the Wounded Warriors Project