Cdr. Alvin H. Rampey. Sr. USN (Ret)

Commander Alvin Houston Rampey, US Navy (Retired), 96, of Greenville, SC died Sunday September 30, 2018 after a brief illness. Born in Six Mile, SC, he was the son of the late Dennis Houston and Edna Ida Kelley Rampey. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Edna Florence Maw Rampey (2011) and by 4 sisters and a brother. Al is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Vin and Jada Rampey of Atlanta, GA, his sisters Judy (Jimmy) Addis of Greenville, Gwen (John) Cooper of Easley, Elizabeth (Frank) Porter of Pickens; his brother Arnold (Phyllis) Rampey of Pearisburg, VA and much loved nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. Al was a 1939 graduate of Easley High School and attended Furman University. He joined the US Navy in 1942. While in his junior year at Furman, he was called to active duty, serving in the Pacific Theater of World War II from June 1944 until January 1946 as Executive Officer of a Landing Craft Tank (LCT) in the Philippines. Following the war, he served as Officer-In-Charge of the USS Driller (YO-61) in Argentia Newfoundland and as Commanding Officer of USS PC-579 before transferring to the Supply Corps in January 1947. His Navy service continued aboard the USS Wright (CVL-49) and with Fleet Air Wing Fourteen based in San Diego, CA and operating from Atsugi, Japan during the Korean War. Al was then assigned to the Navy’s newest guided missile cruiser, the USS Canberra (CAG-2) where he participated in the final selection ceremony of the World War II Unknown Soldier on May 26, 1958. Following his retirement from the US Navy in 1965 he worked at Steel Heddle Manufacturing in Greenville, SC. Subsequently, he joined the SC Technical College System, serving as interim President of Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC from 1982-83, and retired from Greenville Technical College in 1985 as Vice-President of Business Affairs. Al was a member of First Baptist Greenville for more than 51 years, and the Seminar-Corder Sunday School Class. He was, also, a proud member of the Greenville Track Club and on April 1, 2017 became the oldest person to finish the Cooper River Bridge 10K in Charleston, SC. As of May 28, 2018 he had completed his fifth 5K race of this year. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and enjoyed attending their annual convention in Oshkosh, WI each July where he spent the week camping with family, friends, and airplanes. He loved to travel, seeing much of the world, and always had a bag packed for that last minute invitation. Dad will be remembered for many things, but it was his strong faith, quick wit, positive spirit, endless energy and sincere enthusiasm that blessed and inspired all who knew him, even complete strangers. Visitation will be Friday October 12, 2018 from 7:00PM until 9:00PM at The Howze Mortuary in Travelers Rest, SC. Friends and family will gather on Saturday October 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM, First Baptist Greenville, 847 Cleveland St, Greenville, SC to celebrate this wonderful life. Entombment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Greenville. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Greenville County, 15 Oregon St., Greenville, SC 29605 or to First Baptist Greenville (29601) or to the charity of one’s choice.

Cdr. Alvin H. Rampey. Sr. USN (Ret)

March 21, 1922 - September 30, 2018