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George M. Makowiec, Patriot, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather.... George Makowiec {Mack-o-witz} was born Jerzy Michal Makowiec on Sept. 28th 1950 in Swidnica, Poland to WWII Ukrainian Refugees. His mother Ludmila Masyk Makowiec, born July 26th 1928, resides in Port Charlotte Fl. His father Stanislaw Makowiec, born April 4th 1926 passed away on Nov. 27th 2004. The family (Mother, George and his sister Elizabeth Makowiec [Campey]) immigrated to Toledo, Ohio on Sept. 21st 1964 with empty pockets nor the ability to speak the native language. They changed his name to George Michael Makowiec to better acclimate to this new to them culture in the free world. With the help of friends, they taught themselves to speak English. In Dec. of 1967 at the age of 17 George joined the U.S. Army as a Fixed Station Radio Repairman. George put himself through college to learn electronics. In 1970-71, about his numerous travels serving our Country George met his first wife and got married to Helen Y, Makowiec (Huang) in Taiwan and also had their first child Tania H. Makowiec (aka: Toni Black). In 1973 in Agana Guam, while serving George and the family became American citizens. In 1975, again while serving his country in Okinawa Japan, he had a son, Michael R. Makowiec. George's early life of being European and his ability to speak 5 languages fluently (English, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Czechoslovakian, and some Chinese) aided in his Army career. He moved from being an electronics servicemen into the Intelligence sector. He became an Intelligence officer and intel gatherer being a linguist translator and (unfortunate for his children's ability to get away with ANYTHING) an interrogator. George's contributions for America as a soldier during the Cold War is immeasurable and mostly classified. George has always had many hobbies some of which contributed to his later careers and he always excelled well beyond the average. He competitively flew Remote Control (RC) planes and won several national and international competitions to include placing second in the Taiwan Nationals Championship. George was a competitive shooter; he took first in the Arizona and Alaska State Championships in various handgun competitions. George was rated as an Expert in Bulls-eye competitions and Sharpshooter in Big-bore rifle competitions. Amongst many other hobbies, George was a hunter also. If asked though, George would tell you his favorite hobby is fishing above all things. George has several citation records for that too. George's passion for all things flight and incredible ability to pilot RC aircraft lead to his later professions in his military career and also to his entrepreneurship as a civilian. In the final years of his 20 year military service George pioneered a training program and was the first Army UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems, aka; Drones) Training Center Director of Training. This program later blossomed into the worlds largest UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) school located at Fort Huachuca Arizona. George became known as “The Father of Army UAS”. You can see tribute to George at the Forts museums and travel a road named after him (Makowiec Way). George's UAV career didn't stop at developing an Army school for UAV pilots. George set 5 world records involving drones and later formed a company with which he was CEO, Microtbotics, Inc. George's company developed aerospace and navigation systems for drones which can still be found on many Military Unmanned Aircraft across the Globe. In between his Army retirement and the company he started he was a Chief Test Pilot for NASA, testing scale models of experimental aircraft. On Feb. 27th 1992 George gained a grandchild Zachary Taylor Distel. In 2003 George married Oksana Bulakh Makowiec and became stepfather to Vitaliy Bulahk. They complimented one another other perfectly. George continued with Microbotics, Inc. until it's closing and his retirement in 2015. Even after being retired from the military for several decades George's contributions to America's defense didn't stop. He worked side by side with the CIA and FBI during Microbotics' days to detect and catch terrorist cells abroad. A personal note from the Author, George's Son; My father was charismatic and an extra special human. He had extraordinary talent, vision, drive, and humor. He was hilarious and made everyone around him feel comfortable with his jokes and witty comments. He was also very giving. He gave chances to people who otherwise would have been cast away by others. It's cliché to say but the absolute truth with dad that he'd give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Though moderate in stature my father was an absolute GIANT AMONGST MEN. He was my Hero, and though most didn't know till reading this, he was an American Hero and Patriot. He had incredible inner strength that can be most noted with his 12 year long battle with cancer. I will miss you dearly father and you will be in so many people's hearts. You have touched so many people's lives and I cannot express enough how I could not be more proud to have been your Son. ~Michael Robert Makowiec (April 23rd, 2019)

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George Michael Makowiec

September 28, 1950 - April 19, 2019

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George Michael Makowiec

September 28, 1950 - April 19, 2019

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