Virgil was born January 10, 1930 in Joplin to the late Ida Miller and John Thomas Douglas. He was the youngest of nine children. He attended and graduated from Joplin High School and joined the Navy in November of 1951. Virgil was stationed in California and served aboard the USS Henderson. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Presidential Unit Citation; China Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal. He took great pride in being a Navy veteran and loved to share his stories with others of his time serving his country. Virgil was a stout Republican. He loved watching CNN and Fox News and wasn't shy about sharing his political opinions. He enjoyed drinking coffee at Bob Evans and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church.
Virgil was a masonry contractor and had his own business in Joplin until retirement-building mostly banks and churches. Once retired, he started building spec homes and rentals. He took immeasurable steps to make sure each house lived up to his high expectations and he loved detail and perfection when it came to brick and mortar.
In 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Annabelle Lankford, in Joplin. She died in 1978 after a courageous battle with cancer. He married Wanda Jones in 1980 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She preceded him in death in 2010 after a fight with the same disease.
Virgil loved his family first and bragged on every one of them every chance he had. He loved attending every game or match the grandkids participated in and made sure he cut out the recap in every paper that highlighted their achievements in sports and school. Everyone who knew him knew of Chelsea and Chase!
Virgil was also preceded in death by his parents, his siblings and one step daughter.
He is survived by his daughter, Julie Damer and husband, Steve, Rogers, Arkansas; Kena Purkey and husband, Larry, Kingsville, Texas, Mark Jones and wife, Rhonda, Harrah, Oklahoma, Sherry Jones, Jay, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Chelsea Damer, Joplin, Chase Damer, Joplin, Dave Purkey and wife, Karomy, Dennison, Texas, Jonathan Purkey and wife, Jenna, Midland, Texas, Casey Jones, Oklahoma City; Tyler Jones and wife, Roxiei, Midwest City, OK; and six great grandchildren.
Graveside services are planned for Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. Larry Purkey, Minister, will officiate. Military honors will be provided at the graveside. A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Empire Baptist Church, Joplin. Memorial contributions may be made to Empire Baptist Church, in care of Parker Mortuary.
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