Retired Cardiac Sonographer and longtime Washington, DC resident, George P. Atkinson died on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 in Annapolis, MD after a hard-fought battle with chronic lung disease. He was 68. Born on October 4, 1956 in Richmond, Virginia to George P. Atkinson, Jr. and Beatrice Draper Atkinson. He grew up in Severna Park, MD, where he graduated from Severna Park Senior High School in 1975. After high school, George attended Anne Arundel Community College where, in 1978, he earned a degree in Business and Public Administration. He completed his business studies at the University of Maryland, College park, where he majored in Marketing. In the years just following college, George enjoyed a career managing restaurants in both Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Annapolis, Maryland, including the Treaty of Paris Restaurant and King of France Tavern of Historic Inns of Annapolis.

After deciding on a career change, George returned to school and in 1994 received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology from AACC. With this, he began a career in health care which ultimately took him to Washington, DC where he worked at the Washington Hospital Center and Sibley Memorial Hospital. During this time, George continued his studies in healthcare and in 2001 graduated with honors from Mongomery College with a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, specializing in Cardiac Sonography. This led to a long and fulfilling career in diagnostic cardiac sonography with Virginia Heart, a large cardiology group in Northern Virginia. George was proud to work with so many outstanding colleagues and to be entrusted in the care of so many fascinating patients.

He will be remembered by colleagues for his lighthearted and often wry sense of humor. His patients will remember him for his keen professional skills, his kindness, and his empathy. He held national certification with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer and was a member of the American Society of Echocardiography and the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. After a long career which brought him great joy and fulfillment, George retired at the end of 2022.

For over 25 years, George made his home in the Woodley Park neighborhood of Washington, DC. His life there was very full and active. He enjoyed cycling in Rock Creek Park and Northern Virginia, and morning trips to his gym. George enjoyed his time exploring Washington's many restaurants, bars, museums and social events. His other interests included music, cinema, and live entertainment. He was a frequent patron of the Kennedy Center and enjoyed many relaxing summer evenings at Wolf Trap Filene Center in Vienna, VA where he loved spending time with friends, family and colleagues. His joy of travel took him to destinations throughout the US, Europe and South Africa.

George is survived by his loving and devoted sister Laura Atkinson of Annapolis, Maryland. Laura selflessly cared for her brother during the final months of his illness and oversaw and aided in his hospice care in his final days. Other surviving siblings include Jeffrey Atkinson, M.D. of Arnold, Maryland, Nancy Irene Bell of Washington, DC, Sandra Hallahan of Severna Park, Maryland, Nora Spicer of Grasonville, Maryland, and Michael Atkinson of Lothian, Maryland. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and 13 grandnieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by not only his family, but by many cherished and devoted friends whom he held dearly.

It was George's wish that he be cremated, and his ashes scattered in a simple private ceremony. He instructed that there be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to the Pulmonary Wellness Foundation of New York. Condolences may be conveyed directly to his family or through Barranco Funeral Home of Severna Park, MD.