Harold Edward Cumb

Harold Edward Cumb, 82, of Salem, Va., passed away Saturday morning, October 3, 2009. He was born in Salem on February 18, 1927. He is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Virginia Sue Moore Cumb. Harold is survived by his daughter, Tammy Loth and husband, Caz, of Nashville, Tenn.; and his son, Norman Scot Sutherland and wife, Paula Martin, of Roanoke. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Misty Caldwell and husband, Casey, of Catawba, Jennifer Duncan and husband, Rodney, of Nashville, Tenn., and Izaak and Elena Sutherland, of Roanoke; as well as greatgrandchildren, Dakota Caldwell, of Catawba, and Anjana Duncan, of Nashville, Tenn. He also leaves behind his beloved Jack Russell Terrier companions, Ginger and Sam. Harold spent 27 years in the military. He joined the Navy at 17 and served as a Gunnery Mate during World War II fighting in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima and witnessed the American flag being raised on Mt. Sarabachi. After a short stint as a civilian he joined the Army during the Korean War. During his time in the Army, Harold served in the Air Defense Artillery as a Missile Systems Engineer and Instructor to NATO forces. While in the Army, he invented a specialized training circuit board that was patented by the Army and is still in use today. His U.S. stations were Ft. Devons, Mass., Ft. Monroe, Va., Ft. Bliss, Texas, and Ft. Richardson, Alaska. In 1971, he retired from the Army to El Paso, Texas, and pursued business ventures in the electronics field, international commodities brokerage, the mining industry in Mexico and California, and owned a car dealership. He moved back to Salem with his wife in 1992. During Harold's retirement he enjoyed wood working, fishing, cooking, and family. He is known by his family and friends as "Tough Old War Horse" and "Crusty Old Dude" and shared many stories of growing up in the depression. He was an avid reader of history and westerns. Harold's patriarchal wisdom oversaw and influenced the lives of many. He will be greatly missed. Being the fun-loving character that he was, Harold requested that there be no funeral service, grieving or maudlin behavior. The family will be honoring his wish to have a party in celebration of his life with food, drink, and sharing stories. Please join them on Sunday, October 11, 2009, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge at 1147 Persinger Road, SW, Roanoke. For directions please call Scot at 540-520-3573.