Claude Lee Tarpley

Claude L. Tarpley, 90, of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Mr. Tarpley was an honorably discharged veteran having served in both the Marine Corp Reserves as well as in the US Navy having served in World War II on Battleship Massachusetts and Mine Sweeper, Ramport 282. He was a member of the Free Masons Taylor Lodge in Salem for 62 years as well as a charter member of the Central United Methodist Church in Salem since 1953. Professionally, he retired in 1982 after 42 years of service as supervisor of transportation with Norfolk Southern Railroad. He was also an avid gardener. Preceding him in death were his parents, the Rev. Emory Napoleon and Elizabeth Stanley Tarpley; and brothers, Clarence W. Tarpley and Cecil P. Tarpley. His surviving family includes his wife, Irene James Tarpley; brothers, Carl E. Tarpley, Sr. and wife, Etta Mae, of Salem and W. Crippen Tarpley and wife, Genevieve, of Salem; devoted son, Clarence L. Tarpley and wife, Betty, of Roanoke; beloved daughter, Joyce Tarpley Rausch and husband, Richard, of Florida; 4 grandsons; 7 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Don Keith and wife, Joyce, of North Carolina, Auvray Keith Shumate and husband, Bill, of Salem, and James Buddy Keith and wife, Karen, of Salem; 7 step-grandchildren; and 5 step-great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Joseph C. Thomas Center at Richfield for their tremendous love and support given through their care. A period of visitation will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the funeral homes chapel. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The Rev. Betty A. Tarpley and the Rev. Emory Ned Tarpley will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions made in Mr. Tarpleys name may be made to either the Boy Scouts of America at 2131 Valley View Boulevard, NW in Roanoke, VA 24012 or to the Salem Rescue Squad at 201 South Broad Street in Salem, VA 24153. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.johnmoakey.com. The Tarpley family is being served by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, 540-389-5441.