Gregory D. Custer

Gregory David Custer of Catonsville, MD, passed away at age 76 on November 13, 2022 with family by his side.  

Greg is survived by his wife Carol M. (Wade) Custer, daughter Holly M. Rogers, son-in-law Steven T. Rogers, son Mark A. Custer, daughter-in-law Amanda E. Custer, granddaughters Bethany G. Rogers and Alexandra M. Custer, siblings Richard L. Custer, Margaret J. (Peg) Custer Moulton, and W. Scott Custer, and nieces and nephews.

Greg was predeceased by his parents Richard William Custer and Ruth Jean Custer, his paternal Grandparents,  William M. and M. Evaline (Sible) Custer and his maternal Grandparents, Howard D. and Lila (Heffenger) Engelhart.  He was also predeceased by a nephew, Richard D. Custer.

Greg was born January 31, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA as the second of four children.  As young man, Greg participated in Boy Scouts. He was inducted into the Order of the Arrow and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14, an honor shared by his father, two brothers, and later his son.  He also played drums in his high school marching band.  The family travelled cross country several times to national parks and Boy Scout jamborees. Greg is remembered as a supportive, caring big brother with a mischievous side.  He taught his brother Scott how to maintain cars.  He also broke a window practicing archery and injured his brother's hand while making a homemade bazooka!

Greg and family moved to Catonsville in 1961.  Greg soon met Carol Wade at a church youth group event.  Greg would ride his bike to Carol's house to visit her.  He worked at a gas station and grocery store to earn money towards college and a 1958 Austin Healy Sprite, a car which he completely rebuilt.   There are many stories about this adventure which he recalled fondly over the years.  One was the time he had Carol in the passenger seat of this  two-seater sports car, and then had Peggy and Scott squeeze in too, in order to take everybody on an exciting ride around the neighborhood.

Greg and Carol couple continued their relationship through college and were married on September 1967 at Wesley United Methodist Church, where they had met. The newlyweds settled into an apartment in Catonsville.  

Shortly after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at the University of Maryland in 1968, Greg enlisted in the United States Army. He earned the rank of Sergeant and served stateside as a military intelligence special agent for three years before being honorably discharged in 1971. 

In December 1971, Greg and Carol purchased the home that they would share for more than 50 years.  They welcomed their daughter, Holly, in August 1974 and a son, Mark, in April 1980.  Greg was active in his children’s lives, serving as a Girl Scout leader, baseball coach, and Boy Scout Scoutmaster. He always put in the time - helping with school projects, digging in the sand at Ocean City, and building snow forts in the back yard. 

Having been raised in a loving Christian family, Greg lived his life according to Boy Scout principals, honoring God, Country, Family.  He and Carol were members of Trinity United Methodist Church, Catonsville, MD and they later transferred to Catonsville United Methodist Church, where Greg was very active in Church leadership, including serving on the Board of Trustees.  Greg lived by faith, always put his trust in the Lord, and shared his belief that through prayer all things are possible. He was known for long prayers before every holiday meal. He learned, to rejoice in the LORD, to find joy in his salvation, to find his strength in the LORD, and now he “walks on high hills”. (Habakkuk 3:17-19).  

Greg’s professional life was spent in retail real estate.  He served as a general manager for Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk, as well as a leasing manager for seven other malls in Maryland, West Virginia, and Texas.  He spent the latter half of his career with The Daniel Group as a senior leasing manager, negotiating agreements between businesses and retail properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic area.  Greg's genial nature, genuine interest in building relationships with other people, and attention to detail served him well in this field. 

Greg’s hobbies included reading and attending Ravens games. Later in life, Greg and Carol traveled to Maine, the Dakotas, and Alaska.  Greg took a lot of pride in his home.  He was a masterful house painter and personally refinished his floors and remodeled his bathroom and kitchen with painstaking quality.  He was generous with his time, expertise, and tools, assisting his adult children with repairs and improvements in their homes as well.  

Greg also had a fondness for nature. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of trees and flowers and enjoyed landscaping and gardening.  Every summer he would give away dozens of zucchinis, tomatoes and peppers from his garden.  He could often be found tending to his front yard, where he was quick to strike up conversations with neighbors.  

Greg's greatest joy was his family. He visited his grandparents and parents regularly while they were living, and enjoyed an annual ski trip with his siblings, nieces and nephews.  He was always excited when his immediate family expanded, first when Holly married Steve in July 2000 and later when they welcomed their daughter Bethany on Greg's birthday in January 2002. (In a funny coincidence, they also shared their birthday with Greg's grandfather).  Mark married Amanda in July 2009 and their daughter Alexandra was born in November 2013.  Greg was a doting Grandad to Bethany and Allie. He leapt at the chance to babysit and proudly displayed their school photos and art projects.  

Greg will be sorely missed by all who knew him. 

The funeral service to celebrate Greg’s life will be held on Saturday, November 26, at 12:00 p.m. at Candlelight Funeral Home, 1835 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD.  There will be a time of visitation starting at 11 am. Entombment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park, Marriotsville, MD.

Gregory's service will be Live Streamed on Candle Light's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxi6Q4sEkXWnn-tuNt1hlBg.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift in Greg’s memory may be sent to Catonsville United Methodist Church,  6 Melvin Avenue, Catonsville, MD 21228, or to a charity of choice.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gregory D. Custer, please visit our Tree Store.