Hugh Atlee Rader Jr.

Hugh Atlee Rader Jr., 90, formerly of Roanoke, passed away at King's Daughter's Community Health & Rehabilitation Center on Saturday evening, April 23, 2011, after a long seven month fight. He was born on May 28, 1920, in Botetourt County in the village of Springwood to the late Hugh Atlee Rader Sr. and Hilda Jones (Thrasher) Rader. He was their only child.
Hugh graduated from Buchanan High School, where he was affectionately known as "Tick" or "Petie," and Lynchburg Commercial College. After school, he began a job with Armour and Company Meat Packers as a salesman.
With the advent of World War II, Hugh enlisted with the United States Marine Corps with basic training at Paris Island. After several short stateside assignments, he was deployed to the Pacific Islands. He was a Staff Sergeant and very proud member of the "Fighting Fourth" Division that was in one of the first waves to hit the shores of Iwo Jima. He also saw action on Saipan and Tinian. Later, in the 1960s, he was interviewed by a reporter from the Roanoke Times about being on Iwo Jima and he just said, "It was Hell." His time on Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima was never mentioned by him.
After World War II, he returned home and went back to work with Armour and Company. He worked there as salesman until 1948, when he married Ann Massie McCormick, the former Miss Rockbridge. They lived in Raphine where he helped deliver rural mail. Hugh also operated the Gulf station for a few years before returning to Armour. Also, while living in Raphine he played baseball in Vesuvius with the County League. Several Summers ago while on a baseball trip to Yankee Stadium, several young men told Hugh that they had heard about him from their fathers and grandfathers what a great pitcher he was and told him that "He was a legend around here." The story goes that he splintered a two by four.
Returning to Armour again, he worked as manager of the meat department and plant manager until his retirement in 1982. After his retirement, he was an avid gardener of roses and tomatoes. Hugh loved sharing his fresh tomatoes and canned tomatoes.
Hugh was a member of Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church, Steeles Tavern. He was a 50 year and Life Member of the Williamson Road Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Roanoke, member of the Kazim Temple Shrines of Roanoke, and a member of the Buchanan Odd Fellows Lodge. He was the second oldest, and longest standing member of the Odd Fellows in the nation.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Ann Massie McCormick Rader; his parents; and a special sister-in-law, Susie J. McCormick.
He is survived by his only child, a daughter and son-in-law, Lois Diann Rader Snyder and Ray Snyder, of Waynesboro; two grandchildren, whom he was devoted to, Susan and her husband, Jeremy Roupp, of Waynesboro, and a grandson, Dr. John Atlee "Jay" Snyder and his fiancée, Dr. Amanda Guedes de Morais, both of Johnson City, Tenn.; a close first cousin, Alvin Thrasher and his wife, Greta, of Lithia, Va.; very special friends, Scott and Pam Fuhrman, of Roanoke; and close Armour employees, Helen Weaver, of Vinton, and Harvey Shelburne, of Radford.
The flag that will be used for his service was flown over the Iwo Jima Monument in Arlington, Va., in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Augusta Regional SPCA, P.O. Box 2014, 33 Archery Lane Staunton, VA 24402, the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or to the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 75, Waynesboro, VA 22980-2727.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, April 26, 2011, at McDow Funeral Home, 1701 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, Va. 22980.
A Graveside Service will be conducted at noon on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, in Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church Cemetery by the Rev. Sandra Rushing.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the CNAs, LPNs, and RNs of Augusta Health, especially the skilled care unit, for their love and special care given to him during his three month stay at AH, and the staff at King's Daughter's.
Those wishing to share their memories online with the family may do so at www.mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.