F. Earl Stultz

F. Earl Stultz, 94, of Salem, died peacefully on October 31, 2012 in his home of 60 years surrounded by the people who loved him. He was born in Roanoke on May 6, 1918, a son of the late William Edwin and Clara Lawson Stultz and baby brother of the late Ernest Stultz. A World War II veteran, Earl served in the U.S. Army, 76th Infantry Division, from 1941 to 1945. Wounded in Germany, Sgt. Stultz received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. He worked for C&P Telephone Company for 39 years, first as a cable splicer climbing telephone poles and retiring in 1980 as a manager of microwave operations. After retirement, he devoted much of his time to his passion for antique autos, restoring a 1953 Chevrolet convertible, polishing his 1941 Packard, and collecting and selling antique auto parts. He kept busy helping others with everything from electrical wiring to plumbing and construction. If anyone needed help, they called Earl, and he showed up with his tool kit. Earl Stultz was one of those men who was gifted with the intellect, ability, and tenacity to do just about anything he put his mind to and was happiest when he was working. He was a devoted husband and father and a faithful friend. He was a simple man, a good man, a practical man a man whose word, deed, and action epitomized The Greatest Generation. Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Anna Casey Stultz, who died in 1998. He is survived by a special friend of many years, Dorothy McMinnis of Rocky Mount. He is also survived by brothers, Jack, Bobby, and Jerry; sister, Ginger; a daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda and Bob Broom of Norfolk; a son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Linda Taylor of Douglasville, Ga.; and the Taylor grandchildren, Jeff, Robert, Peter, and Benjamin; as well as great-grandchildren, Joshua, Corey, Danielle, Gabrielle, McKenzie, Brooklyn, and Bret. Earl's life was blessed and enriched by devoted and loving caregivers, Sandra Cole, Wilma Cole Crespo, Alvaro Crespo, Lynn Boynton, and Heather Johnson. The family wishes to thank Lydia Border, Aretha Banks, Jean Weber, Marvin Barbre, and Dr. Alice Inouye of Good Samaritan Hospice and Carol Via and Mary Stewart of the Veterans Administration for their kind and compassionate support during Earl's final journey. The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Friends and family are invited to a reception at his home immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 2403 Electric Road, Roanoke, Va. An online guest book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.