Henry Webster (Jake) Brinkley of Roanoke and formerly of Covington passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.
He was born May 18, 1938, in Covington, a son of the late George Gordon Brinkley, Sr., and Amy Catherine Brown Brinkley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Richard Lee Brinkley, Donald Scott "Scotty" Brinkley and Robert Franklin Brinkley.
He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Sue Floyd Brinkley of Roanoke; his daughter, Karlee McCormack and her husband, David, of Troutville;
two grandchildren, Brady Webster McCormack and Mallory Susan McCormack; one brother, George Gordon "Sonny" Brinkley,Jr. of Staunton; two sisters, Phyllis Kratz of Fripp Island, SC, and Catherine Hanson of Monroe and a number of special nieces and nephews as well as many cousins and his best friend, Herb Freeland.
He had graduated from Covington High School in 1956 and was an honorary member of the Class of 1960. He proudly served his country in the US Navy from 1956 until 1960 assigned to the submarine tender USS Orion as an electrician's mate. After being honorably discharged, he worked at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as an electrician on Polaris Submarines. In 1962 he began working at the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company. In 1964 he was accepted into the Electrician Apprentice Program. During his employment at Westvaco, he was an electrician lineman, foreman and supervisor. He retired May 18, 2003.
His love of life included spending time with his family. He immensely enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends of the Blue Grass Hunt Club in Bath County. He had served as its secretary-treasurer for 37 years and was honored as a Blue Grass Hunt Club lifetime member in 2011.
Henry's quick wit and his warm, positive personality endeared him to his family and friends. His ingenious mind gave him the ability to make, fix or build anything.
The funeral service will be held Saturday May 19, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the graveside with the Rev. David George officiating in the Woodland Union Church Cemetery, 347 McClung Drive, Millboro, VA 24460.
The family received their friends Friday evening from 7:00 -8:30 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home in Covington.
The online guest book is available at www.arrittfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Woodland Union Church or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or www.diabetes.org/donate.
