Virgil Edgar Painter

Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, will be handling all funeral and interment arrangements. Visitation will be held at the mortuary on Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Funeral service will be held in the same location on November 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Reverend Harry Kries of First Baptist Church, of Corona, CA will officiate. Burial/Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Park.

Virgil Painter was born in Paragould, AR to James Orin Painter and Mary Ann (Brown) Painter, October 27, 1921. Virgil’s formal education was curtailed at an early age due to the demands of farming to help support the family during the Great Depression. Virgil joined the U.S. Navy in October

1942 at the outbreak of WW II, where he served honorably. Virgil served in Alaska for several months, then served aboard the USS Goodhue, a converted merchant marine vessel used to transport troops to engagements in the South Pacific, including operations in Ie Shima and Okinawa. The USS Goodhue required refitting and repairs after being struck by dive bombers in the Okinawa operation. The USS Goodhue then served to transport POW’s from Japan after the end of WW II. Virgil separated from the Navy in October of 1945.

Virgil and Christine Elizabeth (Gomer) Painter (also of Paragould, AR) married on October 23, 1944. His passing was on the 70th Anniversary of marriage to his beloved wife. It was his desire to keep his promise to her to reach that milestone.

Virgil worked many jobs over the years as a farmer, auto mechanic, janitor, finish carpenter, and others, in order to support his family. Concurrent with those occupations, he served as a minister and pastor in various churches from 1952 to October, 2014. Churches for which he served as pastor were the General Baptist Church, Ontario, CA, Ocean View General Baptist Church of Huntington Beach, CA, General Baptist Church of Bellflower, CA, and from 1976 to 2014, the Gardenia Park General Baptist Church, Sacramento, CA. When asked about retirement, Virgil often replied that, “God’s calling to the ministry is a life-long calling”, and he felt it his duty to continue to deliver God’s promises until his last breath. He was an active, voting member of the Sheffield and the Central California Associations of General Baptists during his ministry in each region. He was also involved in various youth groups' activities with the churches, and co-coached the girls’ softball team, the Crunchy Carrots of Rio Linda, CA, and other teams from 1980 - 1983. He enjoyed playing music and singing, fishing, and spending time with his family.

He is preceded in death by his father, James Orin Painter; mother, Mary Ann (Brown) Painter; brother, Robert Lee Painter; and sister, Hazel Lucille (Painter) Williams.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Christine Elizabeth (Gomer) Painter, Citrus Heights, CA, and children: James David Painter, and his wife Sharon, Canby, OR; Lonnie Wayne Painter, and his wife Sandy, Mariposa, CA; Freda Mae (Painter) Schmelzer, and her husband Skip, Canby, OR; Virgil Allen Painter, and his wife Jennifer, Poway, CA; Sherry Ann (Painter) Claiborne, College Place, WA; Sherman Lee Painter, Portland, OR; Kristy (Painter) Griffith, and her husband Edward, Roseville, CA. Grandchildren: Clarissa (Painter) Leary and her husband, Adam; Adrian Painter; Danny Fortune; Brian Fortune and his wife, Ashleigh; Matthew Fortune; Andrew Fortune; Eric Painter; Jeffrey Schmelzer and his wife, Laurie; Jason Silvey and his wife, Paula; Ali (Schmelzer) Heiken and her husband, Brian; Michael Welch and his wife, Rossy; Robert Schmelzer; John Painter; Jacob Painter; Daniel Claiborne and his wife, Kristina; Tabitha (Claiborne) Grove and her husband, Jason; Monica Claiborne; Sarah (Griffith) Richie and her husband, Joseph; Stephanie (Griffith) Gonzalez and her husband, Benjamin; Zachary Griffith; Hannah Griffith. Great-grandchildren: Adam Leary, Danny Fortune, Sadie Fortune, Carter Fortune, Brooks Fortune, Hayley Silvey, Jesse Heiken, Austin Heiken, Fiona Schmelzer, Finn Schmelzer, David Welch, Gerald Welch, Bryce Welch, Rebecca Silvey, Mateo Silvey, Hope Claiborne, Kash Claiborne, Crew Claiborne, Lily Gonzalez.

Flowers may be sent to: Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sutter Care at Home, 3001 Lava Ridge Court, Suite 330, Roseville, CA 95661 or to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, 3333 Third Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95817-2808. Condolences may be left in Virgil Painter's online guestbook at dignitymemorial.com

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to: Staff and volunteers of Sutter Care at Home Hospice, the Gardenia Park Church Family, and to Family and Friends who have provided support throughout Virgil's final days.

FINAL WORDS

The family would like to express undying gratitude to Kristy Griffith, the youngest sibling for her tireless efforts, and watchful eye in caring for Virgil and Christine over the past several years. Much of the elder care has been shouldered by Kristy and her family as they lived nearby. In addition to the care, we all know that Dad (and Mom) both took immeasurable joy from the comfort, company, and love of Kristy’s family for all these years.

Arrangements under the direction of Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, Fair Oaks, CA.