Wharton, Captain Thomas J.

Captain Thomas J. Wharton, 99, of Blacksburg, Va., born August 2, 1910, in Brinkman, Okla., the oldest of seven siblings born to John and Ruth Wharton, passed away January 15, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Willene Wharton. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William T. and Beverly Wharton, of Danville, Va.; four granddaughters, Jean Luyendijk, of Roland, Iowa, Jerri Fylpa, of Blacksburg, Va., Janet Shepherd, of Bastrop, Texas and Bonnie Wharton, of Round Rock, Texas; 10 grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1932 and shortly after married Willene Rogers, also of Brinkman. He was a decorated veteran of World War II serving in the pacific theater. He worked for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as a field agent for well over 30 years. He was a faithful member of the Blacksburg church of Christ where he will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held January 22, 2010, at 5 p.m., at Blacksburg Church of Christ with Tom Gilliam officiating.