Nathaniel Washington "Buck", 78 of Upper Marlboro, Maryland formerly of Washington, D.C.

His Journey

Sergeant (Sgt.) Nathaniel Washington was born April 10, 1942 to the late Joe Nathan and Hattie Washington of Emporia, VA.  Nathaniel affectionately known as "Buck" or "Wash" by the many who love him dearly, made his peaceful transition with the Lord on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Washington Hospital Center.  Nathaniel was the fifth of thirteen children, eight which proceeded him in death, four sisters: Adell Green, Beatrice Morris, Margaret Carson-Ayodeji, Alma Love and three brothers: Joseph, Paul and Baby Washington.

At the age of 17, Nathaniel and his brothers and sisters moved from Emporia, VA to Baltimore, MD in 1959.  After moving to Baltimore, Nathaniel enlisted into the United States (US) Army and proudly served in the Vietnam War.  While bravely fighting for our country, he was also fighting to get back to Baltimore, the place where he met and married a beautiful woman named Victoria shortly before leaving for Vietnam.  From this union, they had three daughters, Cynthia, Sylvia and Felicia. This February 14th, the couple would have celebrated 53 years of marriage.  A country boy at heart, as Nathaniel continued his military career, he traveled the world with duty stations in Germany, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and several other military installations throughout the United States.  After serving full time, Nathaniel decided to work as a civilian Transport Specialist for the Department of Navy.  Years later, he missed being active in the military, so in 1979 he joined the Washington, DC National Guard, attached to the 276 ^th Military Police Co., where he successfully completed specialized training and moved up to the rank of Sergeant until his retirement in 1999. Nathaniel enjoyed his job with the Navy, so he continued working full time until retiring in 2003, finishing a 30-year career.

Nathaniel was a humble, hard-working, diligent, down to earth, resourceful, and adventurous man who would give you the shirt off his back.  He was genuinely nice and drawn to friendly people like himself.  One person who he was not drawn to was that Judge Judy who he could not stand, often saying she was "too mean."  A true military man, Nathaniel was an early raiser and consistently punctual.  Any appointment he had you could expect him to arrive at least 20 minutes early.  He loved his family unconditionally, and did whatever he had to do to provide for them.  A dedicated grandfather, Nathaniel was very passionate about his grandchildren, making sure they had everything they needed. This loving passion extended to his niece, Shirley Felder, whom he helped raise after the untimely passing of her mother when she was only 12 years old.  In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, watching home team sports, and writing down his lucky numbers for the Pick 3 and 4 lottery drawing.  He was a jack of all trades and was really good working with his hands.  He loved working on cars, taking things apart and putting them back together and figuring out improvised solutions to problems.  MacGyver had nothing on Nathaniel.  Give him some string, a band-aid, chewing gum and an ice cube and Nathaniel could air condition the whole house.  He was a die-hard Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) fan who supported the team through good times and bad.  Nathaniel was full of life and did not let any aliments deter him from everyday life.  More recently, if you drove on busy Highway 301, you probably saw Buck riding in his motorized wheelchair while on his way to the grocery store.  Nathaniel lived a full life and greatly touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with.  He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Nathaniel leaves to remember his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Victoria, three daughters Cynthia Singleton, Sylvia Smith (Shawn) & Dr. Felicia Washington, six precious grandchildren, O'Neil, Jr., Sydnee and Brendan Singleton, Corey and Courtney Smith, and Teigen Washington; niece Shirley Felder (Woodbourne, NY); four sisters Elizabeth Bellamy, Ella Washington, Carrie Beard, and Cathy Washington; one brother, Jessie Washington, one brother-in-law, John Sweeper; five aunts Maezine Williams, Lizzie Mae Sills, Mattrue Washington of Emporia, VA, Augustus and Hazel Harrison of Baltimore, MD and Flora Bell Washington of Norfolk, VA and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, many friends and special Army DC National Guard friends.

Viewing, 2:00 p.m. until time of Service, 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 11, 2021 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.

Interment, 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 12, 2021 at Maryland Veteran Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.

On Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 4:00pm, please click on the link below to view the service.

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