Pelt Jr., Ranson J.

Ranson Jerome Pelt Jr., 67, of Blacksburg, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2015. He was born in Griffin, Ga., March 9, 1947, the only son of Ranson Jerome Pelt, Sr. and Irma Juanita Pelt.

He served in the Marine Corps’ 3rd Marines 5th Battalion during the Vietnam War earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration in 1973, a Masters of Business Administration in 1979, both at Augusta College. He finished his education by becoming a Certified Public Accountant.

In December 1986 he and Cherry Gardner Pelt married and moved to Blacksburg where he worked at Virginia Tech until his retirement in 2011. Randy was an amateur radio operator and enjoyed spending time working on his radio and communicating with friends, old and new. He enjoyed golf, watching the Hokies, and re-connecting with Marines from the 3-5. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and his Marine brothers. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerome.

Surviving are his wife, Cherry; his daughter, Kim Whitfield (David); step daughter, Hilary Arnaud (Jared); grandchildren, Chase Whitfield, Kalie Whitfield, and Avery Arnaud. Also surviving are his mother, Juanita; sisters, Rancine Rubiera, Debbie Terzia (Rick), and Lesé Cooper (Mike); and his nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2015, at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and kindness provided by Good Samaritan Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Blacksburg Presbyterian Church or Good Samaritan Hospice.