Dick DeShazo

Dick DeShazo

Welford "Dick" DeShazo, 65, lifelong resident of King George County, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2009, surrounded by family and loved ones.

He was a member of Two Rivers Church in King George. Soon after graduating from King George High School, Mr. DeShazo joined the Army and served in the Vietnam War. Following his service, he began a career at the Quantico Marine Corps Base and retired in April 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents James Buck and Virginia DeShazo, and two brothers, Howard Mitchell DeShazo and Harry Milton DeShazo.

After retirement, he enjoyed the many interests he had pursued throughout his life. He was an avid hunter and spent many wonderful days on his boat fishing. He had many a story to tell about the ones that got away and the ones he caught. He also loved gardening and sports, especially basketball.

He devoted most of his time to his adoring family and especially cherished the time he spent with the five grandchildren he and Joan were blessed to have. He loved them more than life itself and would do anything for them.

They especially kept him going through the dark times of his illness.

Mr. DeShazo is survived by his dedicated and loving wife of 42 years, Joan Turner DeShazo; two sons, James DeShazo, his wife, Kerry, and their three children, Cali, Owen and Meghan of Montpelier, and Kevin DeShazo, his wife, Amy, and their chil-dren, Caeden and Nicholas of Middletown, Conn.; and two sisters, Katherine Burgess and Eleanor James, both of Stafford County.

His strength and outlook during his bout with cancer was amazing. He bravely fought with everything he had to beat the illness. He always said he would beat it, but in the end he was ready to go to his final home above, and left knowing he had done all he could on this earth.

Dick had so many friends who loved to be with him. He will be always be missed and remembered for his courage and devotion to his family. Throughout his illness, he was an inspiration to everyone he knew and met.

A funeral will be held at noon Monday, May 11, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Peyton Wiltshire and the Rev. Bob Ellinger officiating. Entombment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 10, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Two Rivers Church Building Fund, Box 1425, King George, Va. 22485. Dick's family wishes to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers during his illness.

An online guestbook is available at covenantfuneral service.com.