Wilbur R. Thames Jr.

Wilbur “Rip” Thames, Jr., 86 went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2011. He was born on April 26, 1925 in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Wilbur R. Thames, Sr., and Dorothy Dean Thomas. “Rip” served his country in the US Navy and the US Coast Guard Reserve for a total of 20 years. “Rip” was a painter by trade and continued to work after retirement. He was an honorable and proud self taught man who had the gift of being able to fix anything he put his hands on. While serving the Lord at Fairview Church of Christ, he became a deacon and also served as Sunday school superintendent. He was also a member of Avalon Church of Christ for over 30 years. “Rip” enjoyed working in his garden and was a true cowboy at heart but his first love was his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 52 years, Pansy. "Rip" was a devoted husband, wonderful father, grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed.

Left to cherish his memory is his son, Steven R. Thames and wife Lynn and his daughter, Teresa Paolone and husband Nicolas all of Chesapeake; three grandsons; Steven Daniel of West Virginia, Eric, Clay and granddaughter Tracy, all of Chesapeake; three great grandchildren, Sidney and Steven, Jr., of West Virginia and Annaliese of Chesapeake; 2 sisters, and a brother.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM in Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N. Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. Entombment will follow in Rosewood Memorial Park with Military Honors.

The family has requested memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6350 Center Drive, Suite 102, Norfolk, VA 23502