Mr. Richard Wallace McAlister, age 78, of 366 Mallow Road, Covington, Virginia, died Sunday, May 30, 2010, at Salem Health and Rehabilitation, Salem, VA.

Mr. McAlister was born May 13, 1932 in Richmond, the son of the late Earnest Watkins McAlister and Avis Nance McAlister.

From 1950 until 1955, he served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Mr. McAlister was a former employee of Hercules, Inc. Before moving to Florida, he worked as a salesman and in the office at a car repair shop. After retiring, he returned to the Covington area in 2001 and was a member of the Covington American Legion Post 4.

Mr. McAlister is survived by a son, James Rodney McAlister and wife, Rhonda of Grand Junction, CO; two daughters, Kathleen M. Sexton and husband, Timothy of Covington and Rae Susan Willis and husband, Timothy of Glen Allen; eight grandchildren: Davin Lee McAlister, James Logan McAlister, both of Grand Junction, Jamie Sexton, Jeremy Sexton, Tim Sexton, Jeanne Rose and husband, Brian, all of Covington; Colton Timothy Willis, Jessica Rae Willis, both of Glen Allen; one brother, Jerry W. Powell and wife, Denise of Chattanooga, TN; a niece, Jeannie Roberson and husband, Butch of Aiken, SC; several nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Earnest Watkins McAlister and Avis Nance McAlister, Mr. McAlister was preceded in death by one daughter, Lori Jean McAlister and one sister, Jean Seamster.

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2010, from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating. Interment will be at Alleghany Memorial Park at a later date.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. until service time at Loving Funeral Home.

Those wishing to send condolences online, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.