Dolinger, Sr., Avery Dale

Avery Dale Dolinger, Sr., 69, self-described as “The Ripplemead Wild Man” departed this life Monday, June 2, 2014 at Lewis-Gale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg. Born at Mt. Lake on March 29, 1945, he was a son of the late Robert “Bob” Jessie and Bertha Josephine Haga Dolinger, natives of Konnarock.

Avery lived out his last years in the pristine beauty of the Big Stoney Creek Valley, with his beloved gardens and pets. He was a 1963 graduate of Giles High School, earned two degrees from New River Community College, had worked at Corning Glass in Christiansburg, and at Dollinger Co. in Rich Creek. He was especially proud of his work at Virginia Tech (where he retired three times) as a maintenance caretaker at Lane Stadium. He had served the people of his community as a member of the Giles Rescue Squad (Call No. 323) for over forty years, had been a member of the Pembroke Ruritan Club, a member of the Sons of The Conferderacy, and was a member of Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead. He was preceded in death by two infant sisters Mary Orlena Dolinger and Bernice Nelson Dolinger.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Carlen “Carrie” Roman-Turbak Dolinger; his sons and daughters-in-law Robert Dolinger and his fiancé Bethany Rice of Christiansburg and Avery Dale Jr. and Jessie Dolinger of Hendersonville, NC; his daughters and sons-in-law Amy and Eric Johnson of Johnson City, TN and Stephanie and Gary Evans of Eggleston; his grandchildren Jasmine Dolinger, Luke Johnson, Derek Booth, Peyton Marie Evans and Gavin Rice-Dolinger; his brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Rosemary Dolinger of Boones Mill, and Clate and Gladiola Kast Dolinger of Pembroke; his sisters and brothers-in-law Aldenia “Lena” D. Hite of Pearisburg, Bonnie and Bill Akers of Pembroke; his sister-in-law Sam Smith; and his two dogs Baby and Oscar Meyer Weiner; his seven cats, and a henhouse full of chickens. He was a great lover of animals and people which garnered him many friends.

Memorial services will be conducted Saturday at 2:00 pm at Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead with Pastors Shahn Wilburn and Eddie Kendall officiating. The family will receive friends at the church two hours before the services. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to The Giles Rescue Squad. The Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com.