Author: Potomac Local News

Thomas James Dempster, 64, of Woodbridge, VA passed away after a long battle with cancer on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 with his wife by his side. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 9 years and then worked as a government contractor in the IT field for over 40 years.

He was born in Long Branch, NJ and resided in Woodbridge, VA for the last 30 years. He lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by those who knew him. He loved cars, driving fast, new technology, target practice and reading Tom Clancy novels. He enjoyed traveling, spending time with his family and driving his Jeep on the beach.

Robert William Vitek (Bob), 75, passed away on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 after a brief illness at Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA.

Bob was born on April 8, 1938 in Danbury, CT, son of the late William and Helen Damiano Vitek. Bob grew up in Pawling, NY and was a graduate of Pawling High School. After high school Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his country from 1955-1959 having achieved the rank of Sergeant.

William Roland “Widge” Fouts 93, passed away Thursday Feb 20, 2014 and goes forth to join his beloved wife Muriel, daughter, Aldora and grandson Ian.

He was born in Franklin, N.C. and resided most of life in Triangle, Virginia. A 32nd Degree Mason in the Quantico Masonic Lodge, he retired from civil service with the U.S. Government. He was a kind man with strong family values and will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Thomas Joseph Thelen, 58, of Dale City, VA, passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at his home.

Tom was born on July 16, 1955, to Robert J. Thelen Sr. and the late Margaret Breit Thelen. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 7165 and an avid supporter of the March for Life. He will always be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. More than anything he loved his family.

Philadelphia, PA native and Dale City, VA resident Barbara Gardner, 62, died on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Barbara was a long-time employee of Raytheon, a former employee of Pan American Airlines, and a devoted mother and grandmother. She was an avid follower of the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kenneth John Oliver, age 67, of Woodbridge, VA passed February 16, 2014 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was the eldest son of Robert and Rita (Willock) Oliver who survive him. He was born December 11, 1946 in Washington, DC.

He graduated from Suitland High School, MD in 1964. He was a Combat Veteran having served in the U.S. Army for two years which included a tour in South Vietnam where he received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.

Calvin Lee Whitehurst, (CMSGT, USAF, Ret.), 76, of Dumfries, VA, passed away on February 12, 2014. Beloved husband of 54 years to Pilar Whitehurst.Loving father of Susan Glynn (Tom), Dennis Whitehurst, and Rose Hellmann (Craig).Cherished grandfather of Molly Glynn, Sarah Whitehurst and Emily Hellmann. Dear brother of John Whitehurst (Gladys), and Ray Harrell (Marcie). Adored uncle of Rose Schoepke (Rick) and their children Ricky and Ryan, Annette Glass and her daughter Sarah, Bruno Zumbo (Lorraine) and their daughters Pam and Christine, and Christopher Harrell (Sherry). Calvin was predeceased by his siblings Ethel Paramore (Joe), Sarah Wood (Charles), Elsie Harrell, niece and nephews Sandy Stewart (Leo), and Bill Glass.

Calvin proudly served our country in the U.S. Air Force for almost 30 years. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Nannie “Mawmaw” Fletcher Patton was born on June 6th 1915 in Council, Virginia to parents Beverly Johnson and Mary Ellen Fletcher. She was one of 12 children and was the last surviving member. Mawmaw lived life as a homemaker caring for her 11 children and numerous family members including her husband, Arthur Garland Patton, who suffered a massive stroke in 1963 and passed in 1969. In 1955 the entire family moved from Pound Virginia to Woodbridge Virginia and Mawmaw began babysitting for family, friends and neighbors in order to support herself and her children. At age 97 she lost her first child Donald Lee Patton in January 2013. At age 98 she lost her second child Bobby Wayne Patton in January 2014. In the early morning hours of February 11th Mawmaw went to her Lord and those that passed before her. She is survived by eight children, Arthur Garland “Clayton” Patton Jr., Charles Curtis “Joe” Patton, Garland Clyde Patton, Samuel “Sam” Marvin Patton, Norma Jean Smith, Billy Franklin Patton, Carol Sue Yoder, Carl Patton, and Jerry Mack Patton. She is also survived by 5 generations of over 100 grandchildren. Mawmaw is remembered as a kind, caring, compassionate person that always put family first. She didn’t have much and didn’t need much to get by, just love. Rest in peace, Mawmaw, you are missed dearly.

Obituary for James Giles Kyser, III MGySgt, USMC, Ret.

Beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and friend, Master Gunnery Sergeant James G. Kyser III, United States Marine Corps, Retired,reported for duty on the streets of heaven on 9 February 2014 after a two and one half month struggle following major heart surgery. He was born in San Francisco, California on October 24, 1933, was a graduate of Napa High School, the University of Maryland, and American University’s graduate program. He married the love of his life, Virginia, in 1957 and spent the next 56 years on an adventure with her, and they were the perfect Marine couple. Enlisting in 1951, his 21-year career saw service around the world both in and out of conflict to include some of the most intense years of the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Marine Band, marched in the first Evening Parade in 1957, and later served as a combat correspondent and public affairs professional receiving accolades throughout his career to include two Freedoms Foundation Awards. After retiring from the Corps in 1973, he had a subsequent career in the advertising and public affairs arena with the petroleum and railroad industries. He served as the President of the Association of Railroad Advertising Managers, as the National President of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondent’s Association, the Association Manager and CALTRAP Editor for the Third Marine Division Association, as a Boy Scout Leader, and most recently served as a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Ginny; his daughter, Susan, and her husband Colonel Harry Frank, USMCR (Ret,); his son, Colonel James Giles Kyser IV, USMC (Ret.), and his wife Chris; and three grandchildren, Harry Alan Frank Jr., Elizabeth Lynn Fitzgerald and her husband Scott, and Lauren Rose Kyser. The family will host a viewing at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193 on 17 February from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and there will be a funeral service held at the Quantico Marine Base Chapel on 19 February at 1:00pm followed by interment at the Quantico National Cemetery with military honors at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation at https://www.marineheritage.org/MakeDonation.asp