Virgil Harrison Deatherage, Sr.

Virgil Harrison Deatherage, Sr., a resident of Dothan, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at his residence. He was 100. Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11 am in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev Ray and Diane Kelly officiating. Military Honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Following the Military Honors, the burial will take place in Gardens of Memory with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Virgil was born on September 6, 1917 in Web City, Missouri to poor farming parents, Jessie and Bertha. During his fifth-grade school year his father died and Virgil being the oldest son, he quit school to work in a lead mine to help his mother support six siblings. When old enough, he joined the Army Air Corps (later became Air Force) in Drumright, OK. During his time in the service, he was stationed at Napier Filed, Alabama where he met and married the love of his life, Blondell Scott. After World War II ended, Virgil returned home to Blondell and their oldest daughter, Anna. They went on to have three more children, Virgil, Jr., Kenneth and Kathy. Virgil supported his family in a variety of jobs including: digging graves and hauling ice, but mostly in the construction field. He retired in 1978 and devoted time and attention to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Virgil lost the love of his life after 74 years in 2016. Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Blondell Deatherage; his son, Kenneth Deatherage; his daughter-in-law, Brenda Deatherage; and his son-in-law, Harold Harrison. Survivors include his children, Anna Harrison, Kathy Jones and Virgil Deatherage, Jr.; his daughter-in-law, Sondra Varnum; eleven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and six great-great- grandchildren. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and close family friends. The family wishes to express their heart felt appreciation to caregivers, Melony Kay Watson, Doris Boyett and Covenant Hospice. Burial Date June 21, 2018 Funeral services will be on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 11 am in Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev Ray and Diane Kelly officiating. Military Honors will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Following the Military Honors, the burial will take place in Gardens of Memory with Robert Byrd directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2018. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society Relay for Life.