John Edward Singleton

SINGLETON, John Edward, 97, joined his beloved wife, Eileen, in their heavenly home on December 26, 2022. Left to remember him are their daughter, Debra Jean Chase (Bruce) of Radford; two sons, Ronald Edward Singleton (Judy) of Fredericksburg and Dale Franklin Singleton of Midlothian; grandchildren, Joseph Brandon Chase and Kathryn Abbey Chase of Radford, John Christopher Singleton of Grass Valley, Calif., Laura Carole Singleton Topper (Dave) of Rockville, Md., Christopher Dale Singleton (Ashley) of Beaufort, S.C., and Michael Franklin Singleton; great-grandchildren, Alexander Topper of Rockville, Md.;Austyn Singleton of Grass Valley, Calif.; and Michael Camden Wade of Radford, Va.; and steadfast companion, "Rusty." Special thanks to Karen Gray for the love and compassion she showed to Dad.

John was born in Richmond, Va. on April 25, 1925, the only child of John Edward Singleton II and Edna Elizabeth Coleman and was later raised by his mother and stepfather, George Franklin Reese when his birth father went missing in 1929.

John was a 1942 graduate of John Marshall High School and served as a meteorologist on the USS Essex aircraft carrier (1944 to 1945) during major engagements in the South Pacific, including the battles of Marcus Island, Wake and the Marianas. He earned eight battle stars. During general quarters, he manned a 20 mm anti-aircraft cannon and was at his station on the carrier's island structure when a kamikaze struck the Essex on November 25, 1944. Through academic achievement, he was admitted into the Navy's officers' candidate program and was an alumnus of Princeton, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania. After three years in the Navy, he returned to his hometown and later graduated from University of Richmond with an accounting degree. He retired from Reynolds Metals Company after 41 years in management accounting for the Flexible Packaging Division.

He was a childhood member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Richmond, where he met his future wife and where they were married in 1947. They moved to the Bon Air area and became charter members of Bon Air Baptist Church in 1958. John served many years as deacon, adult Sunday school teacher and chair of numerous committees. In July 2014, he and other members of the "Oak Grove (neighborhood) Gang" were featured in a Richmond Times-Dispatch article about their monthly gatherings that extended decades. Beginning in 2000, he and Eileen resided at Buckingham Woods in Midlothian and he served with distinction on the community's board.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2022 at Woody Funeral Home – 1020 Huguenot Rd., Midlothian, Va. 23113 with a funeral service to follow. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Westhampton Memorial Park, 10000 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va. 23238.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Rd., Richmond, Va. 23235.