Norman Edward Dew, age 92, of 102 Fork Farm Road, Eagle Rock, Virginia, died peacefully at The Woodlands Health and Rehabilitation Center in Clifton Forge on Wednesday, August 3, 2016.
He was born March 30, 1924, in Iron Gate to Lewis Edward and Mary Helmintoller Dew.
His parents preceded him in death when he was six. He was raised at the Fork Farm Dairy in Alleghany County by his grandmother, Ida Dew.
He was a 1942 graduate of Central High School and attended Virginia Polytechnical Institute in Blacksburg.
He served as an apprentice machinist at the Naval Shipyards in Norfolk before enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In the Air Corps, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was a fighter pilot, flying both the P-40 and P-47.
After the war, Norman returned to Alleghany County and married Annabelle Helms. they built a new home in Intervale and he started his over thirty year career with the paper mill, where he worked in maintenance as tour foreman and a maintenance planner. He retired in the 1980's returning to the Fork Farm.
On the farm, Norman enjoyed raising beef cattle and assisting Annabelle in the antique business. He was an avid outdoorsman and he loved hunting and fishing.
He was a member of the Izzac Walton League and taught gun safety in local high schools for several years.
Norman was a member of the Covington Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. In later years he attended Sharon Baptist and Clifton Forge Baptist Church, where he was a usher and a deacon.
The family extends their appreciation to the loving care giving to Norman by the staff of LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany, the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, Mountain Regional Hospice and the Woodlands Nursing Home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Thelma Dew Whitmer and Shirley Dew Conner; a special first cousin, Jean Dew Thompson.
Norman is survived by his wife of 69 years, Annabelle Helms Dew of Eagle Rock; two sons, Larry Dew and wife, Terry and Wesley Dew and wife, Jeana; five grandchildren, three step granddaughters; thirteen great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington with the Reverend Nathan Smith and the Reverend J. Glenn Linthicum officiating.
Graveside military honors will be conducted by the Curtis A. Smith, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1033. Interment will immediately follow. There will be no formal visitation. However, friends may call at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Baptist Church, P. O. Box 121, Clifton Forge, VA 24422, or any United States Veterans organization of your choice.
