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Obituaries

Obituary for David J. Chodorov David J. Chodorov
World War II Coast Guard Veteran Had Distinguished Sales Career

David J. Chodorov, 89, of Scott Hill Apartments, 800 W. Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, formerly of 722 McCormick Boulevard, Clifton Forge and Hampton, Virginia died Monday, April 17, 2017 at his residence.

David was born June 25, 1927 in Albany, New York to the late Harry and Olive Pollard Chodorov.

He was a graduate of Cathedral Academy in Albany, NY, attended the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, and received a Bachelor of Science from Albany State College in Albany.

He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II as Ensign Gunnery Officer and received a Battle Field Commission. He was a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation, American Theatre, European Theatre, Asiatic-Pacific and China Occupation.

He was also a Recruiting Officer and Captain of the Civilian Air Patrol.

He had a distinguished career in sales, including management and supervisory positions. His professional highlights included over 20 years of successful experience in direct sales, generating new business and increasing sales volume; over 30 years of public relations experience; and involvement in solid staff orientation, motivation, evaluation and development skills. He coordinated, developed and co-hosted PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) Programs with W. Clemment Stone, and worked with Napolean Hill (the author of "Think & Grow Rich").

He served on the Executive Sales Staff at Combined Insurance Company of America and trained with Combined Insurance Company of America under W. Clemment Stone in the 17 Principles of Selling. He sold in excess of two million dollars a year in automobiles, in excess of $40,000 in office equipment in a year, and in excess of $625,000 annually in "Big Ticket" items. He had nineteen years of management experience, serving as Regional Manager, District Manager, and Sales Manager; was on the Eastern Insurance Company Board of Directors for two years and Vice President of the board for two years.

He effectively implemented training programs for all Combined Insurance managers in Canada and along the East Coast, supervising a staff of 30.

Awards included being the 1970, 1960, and 1956 recipient of the "Sammy" Award (Film and Music award that is the equivalent of the Oscar), whose recipients also included Bing Crosby.

He was a life-time member of the "Presidents Club" 1956 (He was the third in the country to receive it and no more than 20 have been issued to date). He was the "International Seller of the Year" three times in sales and management (Continental USA, Hawaii, Canada and Australia), the "Top Seller of the Year" ten times in sales and management, the Grand Diamond Award Winner, and the Million-Dollar Round Table winner.

Other memberships included the Burnside-Carpenter VFW Post 1033, past member and chaplain of the American Legion, the Clifton Forge Moose Lodge # 1683, and the Knights of Columbus (Sir Knight), 4th Degree. Professional and personal associations included Ronald Reagan, Omar Bradley, Rory Calhoun, John Wayne, Harry James, Harry S. Truman, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford, Tony Martin, Roy Rogers, W. Clemment Stone, Napolean Hill, Earl Fort, Woody Herman, and Dale Evans.

His hobbies were ballroom dancing and antiquing. He also loved attending St. Andrews Episcopal Church, reading the psalms, and his church family.

David was preceded in death by his beloved wife and closest friend, Audrey Carter Chodorov.

He is survived by a daughter, Patricia Ann Walker of Texas; two sons, Michael David Chodorov of Richmond and Paul Morris Chodorov of the United States Navy; a step daughter, Christina Crawford; and five grandchildren.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Scott Hill Community Room, Clifton Forge with Reverend Roger Baroody officiating. Military rites will be conducted by members of the Burnside-Carpenter VFW Post 1033.

Inurnment will take place in St. John's Episcopal Cemetery in Hampton, VA.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, is in charge of arrangements.