Merlin Courtney Gupton

Merlin Courtney Gupton, 80, of Culpeper died on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at the Masonic Home in Richmond. He was born on August 28, 1927 in Brownsville, TX to the late Arthur L. Gupton and Estelle Sarah Tutwiler Utter. Merlin was a very active with various groups throughout his life. In addition to serving as a Seabee with the U.S. Navy during WWII he later became a member of the Fairfax Lodge #43 and Fairfax Royal Arch #13 for over 50 years, the Fairfax Commandery, Knights of Templar #25 Scottish Rite Valley of Alexandria, Order of the Eastern Star Culpeper #79, Independence Council #15 in Independence, KS, American Legion Post #330 for over 50 years, lifetime member of the VFW Post #2524, American Philatelic Society, Past High Priest of Fairfax Royal Arch #3 in 1987 and the 18th Gapetular District. He was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and retired from VDOT after 18 years of service. To keep busy after retirement he worked for McDonald’s and Wal-Mart up until just a few weeks before entering the nursing home. He is survived by his two children, Lee C. Gupton and his wife, Janine of Fredericksburg, and Estelle O’Donnell and her husband of West Virginia, two grandchildren, Clarence W. Hawkins and his wife, Hester, and Courtney B. Hawkins, and two great-grandchildren, Amber Lee and Zachary Wayne, a step granddaughter, Angela and her husband, Chad, 2 great step grandchildren, Stephen and Mary Beth, and the mother of his children, Betty. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his step-father, Lee L. Utter and two step-brothers, Fred Thomas Utter and Arthur Lee Utter. A Masonic Service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 6 p.m. with a visitation to follow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA 22701. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 12 p.m. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Angela Jennings officiating. Interment will follow at Culpeper National Cemetery (NEW) with honors provided by American Legion Post #330 and VFW Post 2524. Pallbearers will be fellow Masons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Merlin’s name to the Masonic Home, 4104 Nine Mile Rd. Richmond, VA 23223 and /or St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1200 Old Rixeyville Rd. Culpeper, VA 22701. An online guestbook is available at www.foundandsons.com Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.

Merlin Courtney Gupton

August 28, 1927 - May 24, 2008