Henry Phillip Updike

SSgt Henry P. Updike, US Army (ret.), 85, husband of Sadie M. Updike of 62 years, passed away peacefully at home on May 19, 2015. He was born October 13, 1929, in Scottsville, VA, to the late William and Gladys Updike.

Henry attended the Venable School and Lane High School in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the age of 16, he joined the U.S. Army. Upon completion of basic training in Ft. McClelland, Alabama, he was stationed in Sassybow and Yokohama, Japan for 7 years. He was then transferred to Ft. Lee, Virginia. In 1952, he married Sadie Updike and was transferred to El Reno, Oklahoma. While in Oklahoma, he took approximately 850 horses to Turkey on numerous occasions.

In 1955, he was transferred to Chignon, France for 3 years. In 1958, he was transferred to Ft. Mammoth, New Jersey. In 1963, he was stationed in Thule, Greenland at Camp Century for City under the ice. His final duty station was at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. Henry retired in 1966 as a Staff Sergeant and returned to Charlottesville, Virginia.

He worked as a University Police Officer at the University of Virginia. In 1967, he accepted a Civil Service job at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, as the Sports Director at the Anderson Field House. He was in charge of sports of all types on post. He retired in 1992. He spent his retirement years enjoying time with his family and in the summer was considered the "Pool Man".

In addition to his parents, Henry is preceded in death by his brother, Charles Updike. He is survived by sons, Henry Updike and wife, Sandra, and Douglas Updike and wife, Kitty; daughter, Shari Mahoney and husband, Brian; grandchildren, H.P. Updike and wife, Jessica; Ryan Updike and wife, Mary; Tim Green; Kelly Ray and husband Ben; Mitchell Mahoney, Corey Mahoney; great grandchildren, Elijah Updike, Eva Updike, Landon Updike, Henry Updike, Eleanor Updike, Courtney Ray and Benjamin Ray.

The family will receive friends 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, Thursday, May 28, 2015 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home with a celebration of life service at 12:00 pm in the funeral home. Inurnment with honors rendered by the U.S. Army to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.