Theron "Pete" Rupe
February 12, 1931 ~ August 15, 2020
Theron “Pete” Arvel Rupe, 89, devoted husband, father, and Papa died on August 15, 2020.
Theron Arvel Rupe was born at his home on February 12, 1931 in Pulaski, Virginia. His parents were Winifred “Winnie” O’Bryan and Roland Moore Rupe. His siblings are: Roland “Buck” S. Rupe (Deceased), Glenna “Sue” Benner (William, both deceased), Sandra Bowers (David), Mary “Judy” Hudson and Linda Pittman (Richard).
He attended Jefferson Elementary School, coached tennis during summer breaks, and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1949.
After graduation, he worked at Burlington Mills in Dublin, Virginia then joined the U.S. Navy on January 18, 1951. He served for four years during the Korean War aboard the destroyer USS Clarence K. Bronson (DD-668) as a radio operator. During his service, he received the following medals: Navy Occupation Service Medal (European clasp), United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal (1 star). After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954, he enrolled in Emory & Henry College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in English and Spanish in 1958. He taught English at Fort Chiswell High School in Max Meadows, Virginia and then moved to Florida where he delivered Tide detergent samples and worked at the Miami News in Miami Beach, and sold building supplies for Lindsay Lumber in Miami. A pharmaceutical sales offer from GlaxoSmithKline brought him back to Virginia in 1965, Theron found his true calling in sales with GlaxoSmithKline, where he retired in 1995 after 30 years as an Executive Pharmaceutical Consultant.
Theron met Sabra Humphrey in Pulaski, Virginia and they were married on March 19, 1965 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hollywood, Florida. After relocating to Falls Church, Virginia, their only child, Mary O’Bryan Rupe, was born in 1966. In 1970, Theron, Sabra, and Mary moved from Falls Church to Vienna which has been Theron and Sabra’s home for the last fifty years. Theron had many interests including playing tennis, reading, wine making, crossword puzzles, discussing politics, building a mountain house in Woodstock, Virginia, researching genealogy and tutoring at the Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna.
Theron has been an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia since 1965. As a member for over 55 years, he served in numerous positions including church council. He taught Sunday School, and played various position on the church softball team. His favorite hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “In the Garden,” and “Shall We Gather at the River.”
Theron is survived by Sabra, his wife of 55 years, and their daughter Mary and her husband Dale Wilkowske and their three children: Phillip, Lauren and Allison. Theron is also survived by his sisters, numerous brothers and sisters in law as well as nieces and nephews.
Theron will be remembered for his deep Christian faith, his devotion to his wife Sabra, and to his family. His kindness and generosity to others will always be his hallmark.
Online condolences and fond memories of Theron may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Pete’s name may be made to:
Christ Lutheran Church
3810 Meredith Drive
Fairfax, Va. 22030
Capital Caring Health
3180 Fairview Park Drive
Suite 500
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Graveside Service:
Saturday August 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm (masks and social distancing required)
Flint Hill Cemetery,
2845 Chain Bridge Road
Oakton Virginia 22124
Conducted by Pastor Kendall Summers, Christ Lutheran Church, Fairfax, VA
Theron Arvel Rupe was born at his home on February 12, 1931 in Pulaski, Virginia. His parents were Winifred “Winnie” O’Bryan and Roland Moore Rupe. His siblings are: Roland “Buck” S. Rupe (Deceased), Glenna “Sue” Benner (William, both deceased), Sandra Bowers (David), Mary “Judy” Hudson and Linda Pittman (Richard).
He attended Jefferson Elementary School, coached tennis during summer breaks, and graduated from Pulaski High School in 1949.
After graduation, he worked at Burlington Mills in Dublin, Virginia then joined the U.S. Navy on January 18, 1951. He served for four years during the Korean War aboard the destroyer USS Clarence K. Bronson (DD-668) as a radio operator. During his service, he received the following medals: Navy Occupation Service Medal (European clasp), United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal (1 star). After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1954, he enrolled in Emory & Henry College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in English and Spanish in 1958. He taught English at Fort Chiswell High School in Max Meadows, Virginia and then moved to Florida where he delivered Tide detergent samples and worked at the Miami News in Miami Beach, and sold building supplies for Lindsay Lumber in Miami. A pharmaceutical sales offer from GlaxoSmithKline brought him back to Virginia in 1965, Theron found his true calling in sales with GlaxoSmithKline, where he retired in 1995 after 30 years as an Executive Pharmaceutical Consultant.
Theron met Sabra Humphrey in Pulaski, Virginia and they were married on March 19, 1965 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hollywood, Florida. After relocating to Falls Church, Virginia, their only child, Mary O’Bryan Rupe, was born in 1966. In 1970, Theron, Sabra, and Mary moved from Falls Church to Vienna which has been Theron and Sabra’s home for the last fifty years. Theron had many interests including playing tennis, reading, wine making, crossword puzzles, discussing politics, building a mountain house in Woodstock, Virginia, researching genealogy and tutoring at the Louise Archer Elementary School in Vienna.
Theron has been an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Fairfax, Virginia since 1965. As a member for over 55 years, he served in numerous positions including church council. He taught Sunday School, and played various position on the church softball team. His favorite hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “In the Garden,” and “Shall We Gather at the River.”
Theron is survived by Sabra, his wife of 55 years, and their daughter Mary and her husband Dale Wilkowske and their three children: Phillip, Lauren and Allison. Theron is also survived by his sisters, numerous brothers and sisters in law as well as nieces and nephews.
Theron will be remembered for his deep Christian faith, his devotion to his wife Sabra, and to his family. His kindness and generosity to others will always be his hallmark.
Online condolences and fond memories of Theron may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Pete’s name may be made to:
Christ Lutheran Church
3810 Meredith Drive
Fairfax, Va. 22030
Capital Caring Health
3180 Fairview Park Drive
Suite 500
Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Graveside Service:
Saturday August 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm (masks and social distancing required)
Flint Hill Cemetery,
2845 Chain Bridge Road
Oakton Virginia 22124
Conducted by Pastor Kendall Summers, Christ Lutheran Church, Fairfax, VA
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The Owners and Staff at the Money and King Funeral Home, wish to express our sincere sympathy to you. It is our hope that we may be able to make a difficult time more bearable. Please feel free to call us anytime as we are always available to you. Bob Gallagher Funeral Director
Our condolences and prayers. The German Family
Mary and Family, I always enjoyed hearing your Dad.s memories of college days and later his grape growing ventures at the cabin property. His quiet demeanor was much admired. I always looked forward to his being at the sorority socials. Please know that you are all in my prayers. Be sure to share your memories with family and friends. Keep in touch. Sharon Tweedie