Virgil R. Sullivan

1930 - 2021

Virgil R. Sullivan

March 26, 1930 - May 11, 2021

Virgil Ray Sullivan, 91, of Hewitt, and formerly a longtime resident of Bruceville-Eddy, entered Heaven's gate and reunited with his wife, Jeanettie, on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Funeral services will be 12 p.m., Monday, May 17, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco, with Pastor David Cozart officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 11 a.m., at the funeral home.

Virgil was born on March 26, 1930, to stepfather James Marion Parker and his wife Martha Ann (Sanders), in Amarillo, TX. Virgil was the eldest of eight siblings (four boys and four girls). He was drafted to serve in the military in 1951 and while in the army doing basic training he volunteered for Airborne Ranger training. Approximately 2600 men started Ranger school and only about 180 graduated. Virgil Sullivan was one of those who never quit. He was a proud member of 9th Airborne Ranger Company, 31st Infantry "Dixie" Division. He went on to serve his country for 21 years. Virgil went to Korea three times and Vietnam once and retired as Sergeant E7. He never stopped being a military man and wore the nickname of Sarge with great pride.

Virgil married Jeanettie Ellen Mobbs on Sept. 22, 1951, in Clovis, NM, while on leave after completing his Airborne Ranger training. Eight children were born to this union, seven girls and one boy. Virgil and Jeanettie had just celebrated their 65th anniversary when Jeanettie died suddenly from a stroke in Nov. 2016.

There are so many titles that Virgil wore during his life; soldier, husband, brother, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, Uncle and many more, and in every role he was esteemed, admired and loved. Virgil was one of those men that could do it all when it came to work. He was the one we called on to fix our cars or repair a faulty electrical outlet, or plugged toilet. Even in the middle of the night you could count on him being available for things that got broke even a broken heart. His family always called on Dad and he always answered.

After retiring from the Army, he continued to work. He owned and ran a riding stable on Belton Lake, worked at different garages and welding shops in Waco, helped to run and start Dimmitt Welding & Electric with his brother J.D., ran an auto repair shop on his land in Bruceville and later started and ran Sullivan's Central Gas Station in Bruceville. His last job at 80 plus years of age was a greeter at Wal-Mart on Franklin Drive in Waco. Virgil's family is very, very proud of him and no words can express our admiration of this unique, outstanding loving man that we had the privilege to call Dad/Grandpa. We miss you and love you and will always hear your words of advice, love and wisdom in our memories of you and Mom.

Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanettie; his parents; three sisters, Shirley Ann Hill, Donna Sue Clark and Bonnie Gail Francis; three brothers, Marion Douglas, Utah Carroll and J.D. Parker; grandson, Jimmy Allen Davis; and son-in-law, Larry Colwell.

Virgil is survived by his eight children, in order of birth, Cynthia Rae Davis, Deborah Ellen Sullivan, Gary Dean Sullivan, Cheryl Renay Colwell, Joquita Ann Sullivan, Patricia Lynn Pack and husband, James, Tina Kathleen Sullivan and husband, Frank Ramos, and Shannon Denise Sullivan and fiancé, James Galloway; sister, Hazel Faye Harper; brother, Edwin Allen Parker; grandchildren, Danny, Justin, Cory, Nathan, Mickie, Melanie, Misty, Crystal, Casey, Amanda, Tabitha, Natacia, Blake, Jordan and Shane; 21 great-grandchildren; and twin great-great-grandsons to be born about August or September of 2021; numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, too many to name.

Thank you to the many people who helped us to keep Dad at home and give him the care he needed, especially TX Home Health and later Hospice. Also thank you Dr. Fedro, who made house calls and finally special thanks, goes to Lettie Rosenbaum, from Visiting Angels, who made Dad laugh and was his special Angel. All of the support from the nurses and aids and others gave us the gift of Dad passing away at home surrounded by all of his eight children. You all became part of our family and are deeply appreciated. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please make memorials to a charity of your choice.

Online guestbook www.pecangrovefuneral.com