Vivian P. Slemp

Vivian P. Slemp, 90, departed this life on Monday, June 15, 2009, at his home in Wytheville. V.P. was born in Lee County to the late Luther Saul and Marie Ely Slemp on May 3, 1919. He was drafted into the United States Army at the beginning of World War II in 1941 and served with the 101st Division in the European Theatre. He was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. After the war in 1946, V.P. joined the Virginia State Police. At that point, he was stationed in Wythe County, where he met his wife, Josephine Johnstone. They were married for 59 years.
V.P. was active in the Boy Scouts of America and served as troop leader of BSA Troop 60 for many years. He was recipient of the Woodbadge award, Order of the Arrow, and the highest honor in scouting, the Silver Beaver Award.
After his retirement from the Virginia State Police in 1975, V.P. and Jo traveled extensively, visiting their children as they moved around the world. He enjoyed model trains, gardening, fishing, and his cat, Andy.
V.P. is preceded in death by his parents; and son, J. Samuel Slemp; his brother, James Earl Slemp; sisters, Doris Inabit and June Stallard.
He is survived by his wife, Josephine Slemp, of the home; daughter, Martha "Marty" Slemp Thorsen, of Queen Creek, Ariz.; grandsons, Adam Slemp Thorsen, of Redondo Beach, Calif., Eon James Slemp, of Mouth of Wilson, Edward Brandon Slemp, of Austin, Texas; one granddaughter and spouse, Alisa Thorsen and Todd Mosley, of Queen Creek, Ariz.; two great-grandsons, Troy and Zachary Mosley, of Queen Creek, Ariz.; one greatgranddaughter, Vivian Grace Mosley, of Queen Creek, his namesake who he never got to meet but would have loved; sisters and brothers-inlaw, Mildred and James Costakes, of Tampa, Fla., Jane and Melville Cole, of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Betty and Chester Harrington, of Salem; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2009, in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church conducted by Pastor Steve Ridenhour, Pastor Larry Moore and Intern Virgil Cain with burial to follow in the St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will beheld on Wednesday, June 17, 2009, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. The Virginia State Police will serve as honor guards. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and St. John's Cemetery Fund, Wytheville, Va.
"We will miss our Poppy."
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their support and care during the last years of his life, all who came to sit and visit, and special thanks to Valerie Stuart and Cathy Compton who helped care for V.P. Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.