Obituaries

Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Connie Michael Compton, age 77, of Dry Fork, Virginia, passed away July 9, 2023. He was born in Martinsville, Virginia, July 27, 1945, to Gerald Compton Sr. and Gertrude Seay Compton. Connie has two sisters: Pamela Compton and Darlene Hagood (Rocky). He has five brothers: Gerald Compton Jr. (Betty), Leon Compton, James Bernard (J.B.) Compton (deceased), Travis Compton, and Glenn Wesley Compton (Tammy).

He is survived by his son, Clint Wayne Compton; his three daughters, Kimberly Anne Straub (Jimmy), Connie Janelle Compton, and Trisha Lynn Oakes (Jon); eleven grandchildren, Michael McGee, Kailey Straub, Samantha Turner, Kevin Monahan, Devin Dickenson, Stephen Moss, Kristen Moss, Abigail Compton, Addison Compton, Charlotte Compton, and Aurora Oakes; and four great grandchildren, Madilynn Mcgee, Harley McGee, Imoen McGee, and Holden Turner.

Connie served in the United States Army for 26 years. He was honored numerous military awards, such as Expert Infantry Badge, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge, Virginia Service Ribbon, Virginia Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Non-commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol, Expert Badge M-16 Rifle, and Bronze Medal for shooting Competition. While in the military the family was stationed in Germany, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. He was a Rappel Master and loved jumping out of helicopters. In 1991, Connie’s twenty-ninth Infantry Training Detachment from Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, was asked to play a part in the movie “Toy Soldiers.” He met Lou Gossett, Jr., Lee Ermey and Sean Austin. This was a high point of his career.

Connie liked playing bingo with JoAnne and his bingo buddies. He put his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren first, and loved each one of them. Connie taught them how to drive a straight-gear vehicle when each was old enough. He liked horseshoes, poker, fishing, softball, bowling, hatchet throwing, his dogs, and spending quality time with his family. He enjoyed raising wild animals (just like his brothers)—squirrels, raccoons, and his baby goats (who thought he was their mama)! He also enjoyed sharing his cup of coffee every morning with his flying squirrel.

The love of his life was JoAnne! He chased her down the halls of Drewry Mason High School in the eighth grade (without her knowing). In the ninth grade, they started liking each other as friends and then dated their remaining high school years. They married June 11, 1965, and have been married fifty-eight years. They were each other’s rock.

One time while dating, they went to the Roxy Theater in Martinsville, to see “Gone with the Wind.” When the curtains closed, they left, but thought that the movie had ended weird and made no sense. Years later, they found out they had left during the intermission—which led to their inside joke “This is Only the Intermission!”

Connie will be remembered as an exemplary son, brother, husband, father, soldier, grandfather, friend, and mentor. Although his time here seemed too short, we will be forever grateful for the cherished memories and the legacy of kindness he leaves behind.

Memorial donations may be made to SPCA, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy,. Martinsville, Virginia 24112.

The funeral will be Thursday, July 13, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Wright Funeral Service Chapel, 1425 Greensboro Road, Martinsville, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Fair Haven Memorial Park, 18960 A.L. Philpott Hwy, Spencer, Virginia 24165.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net