He was born February 2, 1921, at Gordon, to Lee Dow and Elsie S (Calame) King. After graduating from Ashby High School, he spent a year in the CCC's at Halsey. He served in the US Army Air Forces, from 1941 to1945, as Tech Sgt. Bombardier with the 422nd squadron, flying B29 bombers. While attending college in Chadron on the GI Bill he met the love of his life, Elizabeth (Bettie) Susan Blain. They were united in marriage on August 9, 1946, at Oshkosh. To this union were born 4 beautiful children: Marsha, David, Ronald, and Mark. He achieved his Bachelors degree from Chadron State College and his Masters from the University of Utah.
He taught science and often coached basketball at schools in Chadron; Whitman; Mullen; McFadden, Wyo.; Midwest, Wyo.; and Pinedale, Wyo. He completed his teaching career with 21 years at NWCC, teaching physics and social science. After retirement in 1986, he and his wife were volunteer managers of Norwesca Methodist Church Camp south of Chadron for three years and remained active with the camp until they moved to Glenrock, Wyo. They also lived in Sheridan, Wyo., and Torrington, Wyo., before settling again in Gering.
Virgil was active in the American Legion, VFW, Methodist Men’s Club and Kiwanis. He shared with his children and grandchildren a love of fossil hunting, star gazing, hiking, bicycling, and horseshoe pitching.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Bettie; children: Marsha (Ed) Frady of Hico, Tx., David (Janet) King of Mohnton, Penn., Ron King of Casper, Wyo., and Mark (Rebecca) King of Torrington, Wyo. Siblings: Elsie Lee(Franklin) Jackson of SD, Shirley (Robert) Ostrander of IA, and Phyllis Hamilton of AZ. Also 12 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, 21 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by: his parents; 2 brothers, Kenneth and Eugene; 3 sisters, Sophie Anderson, Myrtle Blaylock, and Thelma Kennedy; and 2 brothers-in-law. </ref>
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Virgil is 26 degrees from Herbert Adair, 25 degrees from Richard Adams, 22 degrees from Mel Blanc, 24 degrees from Dick Bruna, 24 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 36 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 23 degrees from Sam Edwards, 19 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 24 degrees from Marty Krofft, 17 degrees from Junius Matthews, 17 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 18 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
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