Frederick Vernon Perdue

ATKINS, Va.

FREDERICK VERNON PERDUE, age 77, passed away, Thursday, May 02, 2019 at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, Va.

Mr. Perdue was born October 01, 1941 in Roanoke, Va. to the late Alvis V. Perdue and Francis A. Dearing. After graduating from Jefferson Senior High School,     Mr. Perdue enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served as a technician for the Minute-Man Missiles at Malmstrom AFB, Montana. When he completed his time with the Air Force, he returned to Roanoke and worked in the quality control section for General Electric Corporation in Salem, Va. until his retirement. After his retirement, Mr. Perdue moved to Atkins, Va. to live closer to his son, Michael.

Mr. Perdue was a life-long aviation enthusiast as student, teacher, designer, and pilot as he earned his commercial rating for aircraft, instructor rating for helicopters and in recent years he would be seen weekends, flying his experimental aircraft with his friends at a private airstrip in Chilhowie. He was a member of the Mt. Empire Pilots Association, the Carolina Barnstormers, and the Civil Air Patrol, the Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force where he participated in emergency services and in communications. He enjoyed designing and building his own aircraft, and was especially fond of his El Camino cars.

Mr. Perdue was a loving father, brother and friend, and is survived by his son, Michael V. Perdue of Chilhowie, Va.; Michael’s fiancée, My Linh Nguyen and her daughter, Tram Anh of Vung Tau, Vietnam; sisters, Patricia F. Whitt and Debra Snyder; brothers, Alfred D. Perdue and James Dearing, Jr.,  of Roanoke, Va.; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family sincerely appreciates the kindness and help of the staff of Valley Healthcare Center, Chilhowie, Va. while Mr. Perdue was in their care.

Memorial services will be held Sunday, May 12, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Military Rites conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and Francis Marion VFW Post #4667. The family will receive friends following the service at Seaver-Brown Chapel.

To share memories of Frederick V. Perdue, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Mr. Perdue’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.