Babb, Marshall Farrington

Captain Marshall Farrington Babb, USAF (Ret.), 82, of Floyd, passed away at his home Monday, October 30, 2006.

He was a veteran, having served in the United States Navy during World War II and in the United States Air Force as an F-86 Sabrejet fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

After his retirement from military service, he was Chief Pilot for Virginia Iron Coal and Coke, which later became American Natural Resources. Marshall was a member of Quiet Birdmen, American Legion Post #127 and was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7854 where he served on the military funeral detail.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 34 years and the mother of his children, Eugenia Tarcen Babb. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Cynthia Gregory Babb of Floyd; daughter and son-in-law, Allyn and Jimmie Gabucci of Kingwood, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Lesley and Donald Vandergrift of Roanoke, Va.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Julie Babb of Pemaquid, Maine and his beloved Jack Russell terrier, Paige.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2006 at Gardner Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dale Bowman officiating. Military rites will be conducted by Floyd Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 7854 and Floyd American Legion Post #127.

Mr. Babb’s body will be cremated after the funeral service. Friends may call Thursday after 1 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home where the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Floyd V.F.W. Post Building Fund, c/o James Naff, 5733 Floyd Highway S, Willis, Va. 24380. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd.