The county school system spent over $1 million for maintenance and capital expenditures for its 15 elementary schools during the 1997-98 school year.
And, school system officials say that the more than $892,000 in maintenance costs and over $243,000 in capital expenditures and wastewater treatment costs is pretty typical of the average school year.
The school facilities maintenance and capital expenses report compiled by school system officials and distributed to the county school board this week also revealed that the larger schools with the larger student enrollments were the most economically efficient to operate.
That, too, was expected.
"I had assumed and expected that" said school system maintenance director Larry Roller.
"This was the first year we've had the whole operation (on the computer) where I could pull it up and break down the costs like this. The schools with the more square footage and the most students are more economical to operate."
South of Dan Elementary School had the lowest maintenance cost per student with a figure of $31.90 per student while Virgilina Elementary School showed a cost of $93.90 per student.
Looking at the maintenance costs per square foot, Sydnor Jennings was the lowest at 28 cents per square foot while Turbeville had the high mark of 88 cents per square foot.
For the entire county elementary school system, the maintenance cost per student was $52.76 while the cost per square foot was 44 cents per square foot.
Figures were derived from work orders with capital improvements and work on wastewater treatment facilities excluded.
Maintenance costs for the year were $892,11.65 with about a third of that cost, $322,373.24, being labor costs with the rest being material costs.
"That's just doing the general routine maintenance," Roller pointed out, "the types of things that everybody has to do, repairing plumbing fixtures, repairing lights, repairing roof leaks, changing filters in the heating and air conditioning systems, just the run of the mill type things you have to do to keep operating."
The figure of almost $900,000 in maintenance costs is pretty much normal, Roller said. And, the $243,702.71 that was spent in capital improvements and wastewater treatment was also pretty typical.
"That's pretty much normal ever year," Roller said.
"This is really no different than what we do every other school year."
In general terms, the county's 15 elementary school facilities are in good shape, Roller points out.
"I feel like they're in better shape today than they've been in the last 15 years," Roller remarked.
"And we're continuing to make improvements. There is a different philosophy now. It used to be in the 1980's that the thought was to let things coast along and keep doing what we have to do to function. Now, the expectations are a lot higher from teachers, parents, students and everyone which is what we need."
Clover, which has been pointed to as needing renovation, is stable now, Roller says.
"I don't foresee any major problems at Clover for a few years to come," he said.
"Volens is an all electric school which is fairly expensive to operate. The building that has me worried is Washington-Coleman. We replaced the underground hot water loop last year which was a concern we did correct. But, that building is not amenable to working under it. If we have a major underground problem there, I don't know how we would handle the problem."
Roller's report showed capital expenditures and wastewater treatment expenditures at the 15 county elementary schools last year ranged from a high of $53,679.47 at Volens Elementary School to a low of $3, 722.83 at Virgilina Elementary School.
Several schools including C.H. Friend, Clover, and Meadville, were in the $11,000 range.
Roller says that the school system could save a lot of money in maintenance and operation costs if the school board's new school facilities plan is ultimately adopted by the Board of Supervisors and the citizens of the community.
"I could cut my costs (maintenance costs) by maybe a third and that's just a guess," Roller said.
"I don't see why we couldn't do that. Maintenance on a new building in its first 12 years is low. Once you go into the 12 to 18 years, maintenance costs are moderate. When you get a building that is 20 years old or older its high maintenance."
"The savings we can experience by doing this facility plan will go a long way towards paying for it," added Roller.
"The question is how much longer can we keep going the way we're going now? The money that we're spending (in excess operational costs) that we could put toward the facility plan is lost."
Roller emphasized that when people examine the school facilities plan, they need to look beyond the buildings themselves.
"They're old but we've got good buildings," Roller said.
"If we want to say that the buildings are dilapidated we wouldn't spend all the money and effort maintaining them. What we have are buildings that are not adequate for today's educational programs and are not efficient to operate because of their size."
In the meantime, until something changes, Roller says that his staff will continue to work hard to maintain and improve the existing facilities as much as possible.
"Nothing is a reality until it becomes one," Roller said in reference to the facilities plan.
"We're going to keep on working hard on our buildings and treat them like we're going to be using them for another 15 or 20 years. I think we would be foolish to do otherwise."
By Doug Loftis
There's really nothing peculiar about the intersection of U.S. 58 and 360 at the south end of the John Randolph Bridge that has been in place since 1988. It's much like intersections you'll find throughout Virginia or the nation for that matter.
Visibility in all directions could hardly be better for both east and westbound U.S. 58 traffic. There are even advance warning signals which advise motorists to prepare to stop when traffic signals are about to change to red.
Turning lanes for east and westbound U.S. 58 traffic add yet another dimension of safety while speeding the flow of through traffic.
Why then is it one of the most dangerous intersection in the South Boston/Halifax County area with an ever-increasing number of accidents resulting in death, injury and soaring property damages?
Answers to that question are being pondered by the Transportation Safety Commission, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State Police and the Halifax County Highway Safety Commission. Even as they considered the options just yesterday, another crash left two persons injured in what Trooper D.H. Cline said could have easily been a fatality.
As with practically all other accidents, yesterday's crash involved an eastbound vehicle making an unprotected left turn through the westbound lane and onto U.S. 360. This time it was a tractor-trailer being operated by Ronnie L. Snead of Chase City who, ironically enough, pulled into the path of a westbound car occupied by a Chase City couple, Robert B. French and Lisa A. Tanksley.
French's 1991 Oldsmobile struck and ruptured the fuel tank of the truck in such a way that the car bounced off and did a complete 180 degree turn before coming to a stop several hundred feet apart.
Both French and Tanksley were said to have been slightly injured but had their vehicle struck the flatbed trailer rather than the tractor and perhaps traveled under it, the outcome might well have been worse according to investigators.
An "unprotected" turn occurs when eastbound traffic is given a green light with instructions to "yield" to oncoming traffic. Other than driver inattention, officials can offer no other explanation.
Signals were first installed in April 1995 which was the worst year for accidents at the intersection where three persons died in a total of 45 crashes. Injuries occurred in 15 of 45 accidents that year with the major cause being failure to yield (11 times).
The crash count dropped to 18 in 1996 and right-of-way violations numbered six. Fourteen injuries resulted.
In 1997, the best year since the signals were installed, only 11 accidents were investigated by state police at the intersection and seven of those were caused by drivers failing to yield. No deaths occurred but 14 persons were injured.
From January through June of this year, 13 crashes have taken place including some single vehicle incidents which have resulted in (1) overturned logging truck and (2) overturned manufactured home. Bits and pieces of cars and trucks involved in crashes can be found throughout the intersection.
Signs of Change
Highway officials could simply restrict eastbound left turns to "protected" status but that would slow the flow of traffic at one of the busiest intersections in the area especially during peak hours in the morning and late afternoon.
In an effort to keep uniform the kinds of signs and signals throughout the state and nation, safety engineers are somewhat reluctant to make changes which might become "peculiar" to any situation and thus, cause confusion for drivers who are already being introduced to a whole new generation of road signs.
Late yesterday, VDOT District Traffic Engineer Bobby Pierce began working on a special design sign that will light up and provide a yield warning to drivers as they prepare to make a left turn.
Boundary expansion, an alternative education site in Halifax, a proposed meals tax, and drawing a five mile line of their own in the sand to protect against intensive livestock production pollution of town water or injury to its treatment plant were on Halifax Town Council's meeting menu Tuesday night.
The town scheduled two public hearings Tuesday, August 18, one addressing a school board request for rezoning of the empty Craddock-Terry Building on Main St. for an alternative education facility, and the second on a proposed 3 percent meals tax in the town.
The town manager has estimated up to $40,000 could be raised for the town treasury via the meals tax.
Councilman David "Buddy" Guthrie described the meals tax as fair a way to increase revenue as I know of."
The public hearings will begin at 7 p.m. in the town's administration building on Main Street.
Council also heard a presentation by Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt and School Board Chairman Alan Gravitt concerning the school's proposed use for the Craddock-Terry Building. (See separate story)
Following an executive session Tuesday night, town manager Robert Greene said council approved expenses to hire Richmond attorney Carter Glass IV to move ahead on town boundary expansion. Glass was invited to meet with council earlier this year on the issue.
The town manager declined yesterday to comment on boundary projections.
Councilmen also unanimously approved the following resolution to protect its water supply.
"Whereas, the Town of Halifax Supplies potable water to some 2,800 citizens in the Town of Halifax and Halifax County.
"Whereas, the town needs to protect its raw water source from contamination.
"Whereas, the town has applied for a state health department grant to get technical assistance on a study of source water quality in the Bannister Watershed.
"Whereas the town under the provisions of section 15.2-2109 of the Code of Virginia has the right to protect the watershed area from contamination within five miles of its boundary.
"Whereas, all the land located in this area is zoned agricultural, under which intensive livestock operations are presently allowed.
"Then therefore be it resolved, that the Town of Halifax will use section 15.2-2109 and any other legal means to protect the quality and purity of its source water."
Greene said the town also approved unanimously the purchase of two used police cars to upgrade the police department, and also unanimously approved upgrading town salary ranges to be competitive with like jobs in surrounding localities.
"We were just losing too many good people," said Dunavant following the meeting.
Responding to Superintendent of Schools Dennis Witt's and School Board Chairman Alan Gravitt's request, Halifax Town Council set a Tuesday, August 18, public hearing to address the rezoning of the vacant Craddock-Terry Building for use as a school.
The school board plans to use the Main Street facility as an alternative education site with 1999 as the target use date, Witt said yesterday.
The public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, at the town's administration building.
A hearing on the town's proposed 3 percent meals tax will be held the same evening.
The school superintendent told council members the school board has negotiated a $212,500 buy out agreement with owners.
"At the time we did that, we should have invited town council into negotiations," added Witt, who said he was not aware of the zoning conflict. C-T is currently zoned industrial.
Asked by councilman David "Buddy" Guthrie how far along the school board was on the Craddock- Terry project, Witt said the school board had a contract to purchase if they get zoning in order.
Current school board predictions, Witt said, anticipate expenditures of $800,000 to $1 million to renovate the facility.
The school superintendent emphasized the desirability of the C-T Building's central location and one-story construction in his presentation.
The building itself is 42,000 square ft., explained Witt yesterday, with about 21,000 sq. ft. currently set for renovation. "That would leave half of the building for future development and programs," said the superintendent.
In response to council questions, Witt said the school would daily accommodate students 14-18 years old and at night, older alternative education students and GED students could be using the facility.
Project Hope, currently located on old Highway 360 west of Halifax, as well as alternative education and adult education programs at the Mary Bethune are among those slated for the C-T Building.
In response to council concerns, Witt said that to his knowledge thee had been no problems at Project Hope of any criminal nature.
The superintendent said he anticipates six to eight full-time instructors at the proposed C-T alternative education site in Halifax with three to four part-time instructors. He estimated approximately 120 students initially at the facility.
"It is not a hangout," emphasized Witt, explaining the same school rules would apply there as at other schools.
Town manager Robert Greene asked about anticipated enrollment at the site in two to three years.
Witt said he envisions a career center and a workforce development center at the site.
School Board chairman Alan Gravitt noted that with the state's new tough standards of learning requirements there will be an increased number of students who will not earn the traditional high school diploma.
"Not just discipline problems" will be involved, said Gravitt, but they may become a real discipline problem if there is no hope, he added, emphasizing the need for alternative education programs.
Gravitt also emphasized "the great price" the school board had negotiated on the C-T building, $212,500, buying for about $5 a square ft.
Earlier, Witt had told councilmen that he understood there were some negative feelings about the alternative education program
"We request council zone for educational purposes," said the superintendent. "And we are here to answer any questions and alleviate any unfounded fears, or founded fears, if you have them."
The superintendent said yesterday he sees the Halifax site as part of a total education program.
"Any program we would have would be one the community would be proud of and (it) would be operated in a way that would fit with community standards," said Witt.
He said that with future technology and workforce development, he sees the potential as much more than just an alternative education program.
During the Tuesday night session, the superintendent was asked about other possible alternative education sites, particularly elementary schools targeted for closure in the school system's consolidation effort.
Witt dismissed the other locations, citing location factors, but referred to Halifax Elementary School.
He also told council member he understood that the building represents a tax base to the town. However, he noted, the building could deteriorate without a buyer.
In contrast, he told council, the school system would maintain an attractive site.
Councilman S.J. "Jack" Dunavant noted that industry gets a conditional use permit, and said he feared that if the town turned over the site, it would lost control.
Town manager Greene said there could be two-part zoning: from industrial building to school and to allow alternative education with a conditional use permit. That protects so you do have some control," added Greene.
By CURT ANDERSON
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Armed with a presidential endorsement, Senate Democrats are trying to get reluctant Republicans to pass $500 million in emergency assistance for farmers suffering most from the slump in crop prices.
''That cash can make the difference between making it and not making it,'' said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D.
After a meeting Wednesday night with congressional Democrats, Clinton endorsed legislation sponsored by Dorgan and Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., providing emergency aid for farmers who have suffered repeated crop losses due to weather or disease and steep cuts in income - like those in the northern Plains.
''I am very concerned about the financial stress facing farmers and ranchers in many regions of the country,'' Clinton said in a letter to Democratic leaders. ''I urge Congress to take emergency action to address specific stresses now afflicting sectors of the farm economy.''
The Senate was likely to vote on some version of the amendment today during consideration of the annual agriculture spending bill. Republicans remained skeptical, questioning how the money would be spent and contending that improved crop insurance might be a better solution.
Senators today voted 71-28 for a nonbinding resolution by Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, stating that agriculture most needs such items as presidential fast-track trade negotiating authority, tax relief and replenishment of International Monetary Fund accounts to address the Asian financial crisis.
''It is time we pledged our solidarity with the American farmer and pledge we give them long-term assistance instead of so-called emergency assistance,'' Grassley said.
That brought a rebuke from Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who proclaimed the resolution a feel-good document with no practical effect.
''This resolution doesn't do a thing to get the price up for our farmers,'' Harkin said.
Separately, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman told reporters he would shortly announce government purchases of grain and other commodities for use in humanitarian aid programs, as well as some adjustments to crop insurance.
''We believe these farmers are in desperate need. They need help now - right now,'' said House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.
Flagging exports triggered by the Asian economic crisis and huge worldwide crop production have driven prices down across the board for American farmers since Republicans won approval in 1996 of their ''Freedom to Farm'' law, which removed much of the safety net that once smoothed out downturns.
Although Democrats lost an effort Wednesday to provide farmers with $1.6 billion in new price supports, they did win on two amendments aimed at shoring up prices paid to cattle ranchers and feedlot owners.
Senators approved on a voice vote a proposal by Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., to create a three-year pilot program requiring meat packers and processors to report terms of private cattle sales to the Agriculture Department. Many ranchers and feedlot owners say these contract sales are controlled by three major packers and are unfairly distorting the open auction markets.
''This means producers and feedlots will know that the market price accurately reflects the prices being paid in private transactions,'' said Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. ''This is the way the free market is supposed to work.''
In addition, senators approved a measure sponsored by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., requiring beef and lamb products to be labeled as foreign or domestic, which could entice more consumers to purchase American-produced meat.
But on a 56-43 vote, the Senate killed a proposal by Daschle that would have removed caps imposed in 1996 on marketing loans, which act as a floor price for grains and soybeans.
It also would have extended those loans by six months, allowing farmers to hold onto their crops longer in the hope that prices and their incomes will eventually rise. All 55 Republicans and Democrat Russell Feingold of Wisconsin voted to kill the proposal; Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, did not vote.
Republicans said the proposal would do nothing to improve export demand for U.S. crops and would distort markets by encouraging large supplies in storage.
''This is not even a good quick fix,'' said Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. ''It is a prescription for enormous difficulties.''
An emu standing in the roadway was struck and killed by a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon near Clover, according to the Virginia State Police.
Greg Allen Fuller, 20, of Clarksville was driving a 1995 Ford truck when he struck the emu on Rt. 92, one-half mile east of Rt. 600, police said.
The owner of the emu was not known. Damages to the pickup truck were estimated at $1,700, according to the investigation. Fuller was not injured.
No charges were filed and the 4:30 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper D.T. Conner.
Among other wrecks investigated:
· A two-vehicle collision occurred Sunday evening on U.S. 501, one-tenth of a mile south of U.S. 58, police said.
Timothy Alan Cochran, 16, of South Boston was driving a 1985 Isuzu pickup truck when he made an improper lane change, according to the investigation.
Cochran's vehicle struck a 1994 Nissan driven by Wytonia Lovella Yancey, 24, of Alton, according to the investigation.
Yancey was injured and each vehicle sustained an estimated $500 in damages, police said.
Charges are pending and the 9:39 p.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper R.L. Hodges.
· A single-vehicle wreck occurred Monday morning on U.S. 501, eight-tenths of a mile south of Rt. 96 near the North Carolina state line, police said.
LaWanda Denise Fountain, 24, of South Boston was driving a 1993 Toyota when she lost control, ran across the median strip, and struck a guard rail, according to the investigation.
She was not injured during the 5 a.m. crash, but the car sustained an estimated $1,300 in damages, police said.
Fountain was charged by Virginia State Trooper R.C. Compton with reckless driving.
A jury trial scheduled for Rhonda Blackmon, 42, of South Boston was canceled after she entered an Alford guilty plea Tuesday afternoon to one count of distribution of cocaine. The jury trial was scheduled for Wednesday.
The Alford plea is made when a defendant does not fully admit to committing a crime but states their belief that the prosecution has enough evidence to obtain a guilty verdict.
Blackmon was arrested on two felony counts of distribution of cocaine during the culmination of an extensive 18-month undercover drug operation conducted by the Tri-County Regional Drug Task Force. Her offenses occurred on June 12, 1997.
In a plea bargain, Blackmon was sentenced to 12 months in the Halifax Adult Detention Center. The second count was "nol prossed" or chosen not to be prosecuted by the Halifax County Commonwealth's Attorney office.
Blackmon, represented by Richmond attorney Charles Cosby, was remanded to jail following her guilty plea.
Opponents of large-scale hog farming in the Virgilina community held an organizational and strategy meeting Wednesday night, but instead, the meeting became inundated with hog farming proponents.
Held at the usually peaceful and tranquil Union United Church of Christ in downtown Virgilina, the meeting boiled over into a bitter debate that pitted neighbor against neighbor; even church member against church member.
"I think you should have the right to do whatever you want on your own farm," commented Linda Sanford, a hog farm proponent who described the location of one of the proposed farms as virtually "in my own backyard."
"Suppose somebody says they don't like your garage and tells you to move that?" Sanford asked the audience. "The U.S. is a free country; we can do whatever we want on our own land."
New techniques are being studied and utilized to eliminate the odors, she told the crowd. Sanford then accused the opponents of not knowing anything about hog farms. "You should get off your butts and go visit one.
"Would you rather have one big operation or pig pens (owned and operated) by all families (in the area)?" she continued. "I think we have blown this all out of proportion...when are we going to worry about people? About their salvation?"
Violet O'Geary was another hog farm proponent who also dressed down the anti-hog farming attendees. "Did you know that the hog is the cleanest animal there is?" the 86-year-old woman asked. "If you put them in a place they will go to the bathroom in one place...they're not like cattle."
As for odors, O'Geary was adamant that such a situation was not unhealthy. She told the crowd that she was from the coast of New Bedford, Massachusetts and that she was raised with the odors left behind at low tides.
"My mother lived to be 90 years old and it didn't bother her," she pointed out. "Or me. I'm 86 and I hardly ever have to go to the doctor."
Local cattle farmers Mr. and Mrs. Verlin Emswaller also spoke out in favor of hog farming. "I was raised on a chicken farm," he said. "As for my cattle farm, there's two creeks that run down on each side and anyone of you are welcome to come over and take water samples."
His wife reminded the audience that the Virgilina community was rural and agricultural in nature. "If you want city-life, then live in the city," she said.
Verlin Emswaller later reminded the gathering that the community worked closely together in terms of trying to halt the elimination of the Virgilina Elementary School. "We need to work together on this, too," he reflected.
Opponents of hog farms cited the odors of hog farms in eastern North Carolina, as well as environmental hazards in defense of their side of the issue.
The argument that hog farms will generate revenue for farmers reeling from the national assault on the tobacco growers was also questioned.
"Do you know why Carroll's Foods (a major hog processor) doesn't want to own these farms?" asked opponent John Brecht. "Because they don't want the liability.
"The requirements (county's code) are next to nothing," Brecht continued. "If you've got enough money and enough lawyers, you can get any with anything in America...look at O.J., you can even get away with murder."
For those who insist that large hog farms don't create odors, Brecht suggested, "Prove it to yourself," he told the proponents. "Get in your car and drive over to eastern North Carolina."
Brecht cited Delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett as a major reason why the Right-to-Farm Act was passed in the Virginia House of Delegates. (Bennett co-sponsored the bill.) The controversial act delegated control of large proposed hog farms from the county to the state level.
"I don't think you should have businessmen with briefcases full of money getting politicians to do what they want," Brecht told the audience.
"I have nothing against Ted Bennett; he used to be my attorney," Brecht said. "But, in my opinion, he didn't do right by this state."
Lottie Nunn, one of the organizers of the meeting, remained constrained at the unexpected twist of the meeting's direction. She described the meeting as a success in, at least, getting the pro and con sides together to discuss the issue face-to-face.
Another twist of the meeting occurred when Garland Ricketts, a member of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors who represents the district, was grilled by both sides. Sitting on the sideline and quietly taking notes, he was coaxed to the podium to discuss the political side of the issue.
"I'll be honest with you, once a farmer has this permit in hand, the county is powerless to do anything unless there's some major environmental problem," commented Ricketts.
A moratorium would also have little long-term effect on controlling such hog operations, he said. Lawsuits could strike down any moratorium, he explained.
"We cannot have a blank moratorium and walk away and say there will never be a hog farm," he said.
Pressed by a hog farm opponent as to what side of the issue he was on, Ricketts responded, "I am still listening," he said. "There are bonafide arguments on both sides.
"I do think the setbacks should be larger," he cautiously added.
After the meeting was over and most people had left the church, a woman who remained quiet throughout the entire meeting perhaps came closest to touching the crux of the hog farm issue.
"Yes, you have a right to do whatever you want on your own land," she whispered to a reporter. "As long as the smell of what you do doesn't come on my land."
Bruce Hoover Glasscock, 69, of Virgilina died Tuesday, July 14, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Glasscock was born in Halifax County. He worked at Russell Stover and was a retired farmer. He served as a Deacon at Buffalo Baptist Tabernacle where he was a member.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, July 17 at Buffalo Baptist Tabernacle with burial in Gravel Hill Cemetery in Buffalo Junction. Officiating will be Revs. Bill Keen and Rodney Barwick.
Mr. Glasscock is survived by his wife of 51 years, Frances Coghill Glasscock; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia Eubank of Clarksville, Theresa and Louis Hite of Buffalo Junction, and Elaine and Lindy Tuck of Virgilina; one son and daughter-in-law, Tommie and Dolly Glasscock of Virgilina; 10 grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Glasscock of Virgilina and Wallace Glasscock of Buffalo Junction; and one sister, Emma Gray Ambrose of Halifax.
Steven Wayne 'Brown' Hoke, 14, of Waynesboro died Tuesday, July 14, 1998 at Augusta Medical Center.
He was born May 23, 1984 the son of Dwight Steve Hoke and Betty Ann Brown in Waynesboro.
Survivors include his parents; his paternal grandparents, Ann and Bill Hoke; maternal grandparents, Barbara and Leslie Headrick, Troy Cash and Stephanie Dudley; one brother, Chris Hoke; and one sister, Brooke Ann Hoke.
Services were conducted by Pastor Larry K. Martin at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 16 at the Chapel of Reynolds Funeral Service of Waynesboro with burial at Augusta Memorial Park.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Dooms Fire Department or the Waynesboro First Aid Crew.
Robert Thorn Tuck of 1635 Berry Hill Road, South Boston died Thursday, July 16, 1998 at The Woodview. He was 81 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Tuck was born in South Boston on July 2, 1917 the son of Parham Franklin Tuck and Rosella Thorn Tuck and was married to Faye Royster Tuck. He was a member of Berry Hill Presbyterian Church. He attended the one room school called High Hill when he was a child, graduated from Central High School in Washington, DC in 1935, VMI from 1935-1936 and was appointed by Senator Burch to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was there from 1936-1940, 1943-1947 he taught advanced math and field artillery tactics to the cadets at West Point. He attained the rank of Major. He resigned from the Army on October 24, 1948 with an honorable discharge. From 1948 until 1965 he was General Manager and Owner of Eldorado Orchards, Inc. in Placerville, CA and owned an orchard in Camino, CA. He came back to Virginia and went to work for the State Corporation Commission in Richmond as an engineer in 1967. He retired in 1983 and moved back to his native Halifax County.
Mr. Tuck is survived by his wife of the home; two brothers, Col. Richard Cabell Tuck of Annandale and Franklin Dandridge Tuck of VA Beach; two sisters, Rosella Davidson of Richmond and Dr. Mary Echols of Fort Defiance. He was the nephew of the late Governor William M. Tuck.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at the Tuck Family Cemetery near Buckshoal with Military Rites with Rev. John Ruef conducting the service.
The family will receive friends at the home.