He had a thirty-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps serving with honor and distinction in three wars, receiving nine battle stars, the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and various other awards. He flew the Corsair, Crusader, Phantom and other aircraft.
Following his retirement in 1971, he had a 30-year career in commercial real estate.
Survivors include his wife, Claire; sons and wives, R. Paige and Tonya, Kent and Peggy, Drew and Connie; three granddaughters, Allison, Abby, and Mandi; and one grandson, Dakota.
His ashes will be scattered over his boyhood home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
