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Gregory Updike Obituary
Greg was born on January 12, 1962 in Front Royal, Virginia.
He graduated from Warren County High School in 1980 and played the saxophone for the high school band as well as playing for the Wildcat Baseball team.
In 1984 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Finance. While there he was upper-quad backgammon champion.
Greg started in the Finance Department of Comsat in 1984. While he never personally changed companies, he continued in the telecommunications business through countless mergers, acquisitions and take overs. He left Verizon in 2015 as a Global Account Manager.
Greg loved to play softball, bowl, cards and board games. His favorite professional teams were the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Dallas Cowboys.
As our son, David, became a special Olympian, Greg became a coach and council member. Greg loved to get the most out of the athletes and to see them work as a team. He also loved watching his daughter, Kelly, play a lot of games in various sports.
He was also a member and Deacon with Bentonville Baptist Church and the Apple Valley Beagle Club.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Rita of Fairfax, Virginia; son, David of Fairfax; daughter, Kelly of Fairfax; parents, John Updike Jr. and Ruby Rudacille Updike of Bentonville, Virginia; two brothers, John Updike of Bentonville and Neal Updike and his wife Kim and daughter Brittney of Front Royal, Virginia; and many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Burl and Avis Updike; his maternal grandparents, William and Charlotte Rudacille; and his uncle, Austin Rudacille.
Greg was a blood donor and platelet donor. Please consider making a donation in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to Special Olympics Area 26, 11350 Random Hills Road C-140, Fairfax, VA 22030 or to Relay For Life at JMU Team "Stick It to Cancer" lead by Kelly or South Warren Volunteer Fire Recue or Bentonville Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal with burial to follow in the Bentonville Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Updike, Neal Updike, Michael Rudacille, Catherine Rudacille, Jay Vance and Joshua Brandon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kenn Weir and Renee Rudacille.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, April 7, 2017 from 6 8 p.m.
Following the burial, there will be a time for food and fellowship at the South Warren Volunteer Fire Department at 3330 Stonewall Jackson Highway, Bentonville.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Updike
Phil Sullivan
March 30, 2022
In memory of Greg. Just a really good person. Always upbeat and friendly. Hard to believe it's been 5 years. Definitely an unforgettable person.
Jan Galvin
April 2, 2020
Remembering someone who gave so much and ask for so little.
Greg was a real inspiration to all who met him
He is missed Eddie Galvin
Phil Sullivan
March 30, 2020
Greg was just a great person. He is missed. One of the friendliest people I have ever met. Shared his passion for Softball. Just a joy to be around. Thinking of Greg and his family.
Ed Galvin
March 30, 2019
Johnnie and Ruby Thinking of you during this time of remembrance
Eddie
Campbell
April 10, 2017
Dear John and Ruby,
Our deepest condolences about Greg's passing.
We are with you in spirit and keeping you in our prayers.
Love to you all,
Ellen, Stefanie, Johnathan Campbell
Daryl, Vicki and Aron Davison
April 9, 2017
Johnny, Ruby and family, our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Michael Hansen
April 8, 2017
Johnny,Ruby,John and Neal
Our thoughts and prayers
are with all of you at this
time and always.
Mike,Judy and Joshua Hansen
Jennifer Turner-Duncan
April 8, 2017
So sad to hear of his loss. He was a great classmate from high school, and there will remain many treasured memories from our times with him in band. He always had such a great personality, a big smile, and sure could play a sax. Rest easy my friend. My thoughts and prayers will remain with all your family and friends. God Bless
Vickie Williamson Seal
April 8, 2017
The world got a little darker the day God called Greg home. His smile could light up a room and his laugh was infectious. I never saw him down or in a bad mood. Death can take from us many things but it cannot take our memories. My thoughts and prayers are with his family whom he dearly loved and was so proud of. Rest in peace, Greg.
April 7, 2017
Ruby and John, Our prayers are with you. Billy and Bertha Jenkins.
Ed Galvin
April 7, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Geraldine Mahoney
April 7, 2017
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Krise Nowak
April 7, 2017
My family will certainly miss the cheery hellos from across the street. Pulling into, or out of Pelfrey Lane will never be the same.
Krise, Ben and Luke Nowak
Dana Thurston-Horan
April 7, 2017
What a wonderful man who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him. Rest in Peace Greg. Prayers for the Updike family during this difficult time.
Walter & Kim Mahoney Jr
April 7, 2017
Sorry to hear about Greg's passing thought's and prayers to his family .
Linda Lee
April 7, 2017
I think of Greg and smile. Our connection between Chantilly, Front Royal, special education and sports brought forth many a laugh with his ever present wit. There is no doubt that he is with the Lord. Prayers and thoughts from the Chantilly High School community to the entire Updike family.
Lester Dumont
April 7, 2017
This community has suffered a great loss with the passing of Greg. I enjoyed his company tremendously and will miss him deeply.
Michele & Gary Kushner
April 7, 2017
Sad for all who are missing him. The good memories of his time with you can never be taken away. Those memories and his children are a legacy to a life well lived!
Prudie Mathews
April 6, 2017
Ruby and John. My deepest sympathy to you in this time of sorrow. I will certainly be holding you in my thoughts and prayers.
Gloria Middleton
April 6, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you in your time of need. Gloria Middleton
Lee Canossa
April 6, 2017
Our heartfelt condolences to Greg's family and friends on your sad loss. Lee, Elise, Alex
Todd Dempsey
April 6, 2017
Will miss you guy. Please remember, just because you're upstairs now, with a great view of everything, no critiquing my fast balls!
Kenn Weir
April 6, 2017
Greg made me feel like no one has ever done before. He told me that I was one of his best friends. And he is one of mine. We formed a special bond thru sports and and team work. He was the first to encourage others and his main competition was himself. I will truly miss him on and off the ball field. But his memory will always be with me.
Toni Rusnak
April 6, 2017
Rest in peace my friend. You are now my angel in the outfield and will be dearly missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Updike family.
Dee Stokes
April 6, 2017
My heart just hurts so bad for Johnny, Ruby, John and Neal. Greg was such a wonderful, kind and caring guy. His sense of humor made him such a joy to be around. He fought the good fight but God has other plans for him. He is in a much better place but that doesn't take away the sadness of losing him. My prayers are with all of you.
Robin Persons
April 6, 2017
Rest easy my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Don & Terri Rumsey
April 5, 2017
Rest easy & in peace my friend.
We continue our Prayers for Greg, Rita and all those grieving, may God please give them all strength and watch over them.
Ken & Juanita Thurston
April 5, 2017
Words cannot express the sadness we feel for the family of Greg. He was a joy to be around and we will miss him so much.
John Kipfer
April 5, 2017
Had the Honor of working with Greg for 13 years with Verizon Federal Family. Also made me smile and only had kind words to say about anyone or anything. Will be surely missed. Updike Family you are in our prayers.
April 5, 2017
Dearest Ruby: We are so very sorry for your loss. Blessings to the family.
Milton and Sandy Frame - Browntown
Matt Cairns
April 5, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with Greg's family. I was sad to hear Greg passed away, but I'm filled with many great memories of him.
I enjoyed our bantering back and forth, along with his quick wit that was ever present. He'd tell me I needed to get better pricing from our vendors, and I'd tell him he needed to learn how to sell something.
You could hear him light up over the phone when it came to discussing his kids. He was incredibly proud of them.
Rest in peace my friend
Phillip Harrington
April 5, 2017
He was a nice guy. Respected those with whom he worked. I am saddened by this evil illness. I hope we can all donate to cancer research to keep the memory of our departed Gregory alive.
Phil Sullivan
April 5, 2017
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with your family.Greg was just a very nice person, always upbeat, great to work with fun to play Softball with. He will truly be missed.
Mary Kibler
April 5, 2017
Thinking of the family during this difficult time- Take Care
Maggie Cook
April 5, 2017
In telecom, particularly government markets, one never says goodbye to a colleague. Rather, it is "see you later", because chances are you will see that colleague again along the way. So, in that spirit. Greg, you were one of the good guys, until we meet again my friend. See you later sir, you will be missed.
Sharon Shaffer
April 5, 2017
Greg's passing is so sad & he is now in a much better place. Prayers for his family as they deal with their loss. We were classmates way back in 1980. Cancer sucks!!
April 4, 2017
Johnny and Ruby. My thoughts and prayers are with you both and the entire family. Greg was always working hard and a real joy to be around. I know he will be sorely missed but he is in a better place. Everett Campbell
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