Reginald Gray Armistead

Reginald Gray Armistead passed away peacefully at home in Sperryville, Virginia on June 16, 2012, about a month before his 91st birthday. Gray was born August 2, 1921 in Jefferson, Alabama to Isaac and Eula Gray Armistead. He grew up in Alabama and attended Auburn University prior to joining the U. S. Navy during World War II, entering the flight training program in 1942. Gray was a combat aviator in the Pacific from 1943 to 1945. After the war, he continued as an active duty Naval Reserve officer in commands throughout the United States. He retired from the Navy in 1972 following his final tour of duty in Pensecola, Florida where he served on the staff of the Chief of Naval Training. During his 30-year career, Captain Armistead received many awards, including the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (3 stars). He was widely regarded as a primary advocate for the existence of a strong Naval Reserve integrated with the active U. S. Navy forces. After retiring from the Navy, Gray joined the staff of the late Congressman David Satterfield of Virginia, where he served as Chief of Staff until Mr. Satterfield’s retirement in 1981. Gray then served as Military Legislative Assistant to Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia and later as assistant to Senator John Warner of Virginia. Upon retirement from Capitol Hill in 1983, Gray worked as a consultant to Grumman Corporation, General Electric Co. and Newport News Shipbuilding, where he was an articulate and energetic advocate for the importance of Naval Aviation and seapower in defense of the nation. After leaving the consulting business in 1992, Gray and his wife, Jean, moved from Vienna, Virginia to Rappahannock County where he established Flying A Farms, one of the premier beef cattle operations in Virginia. He was known to say that being on the farm was like “going home to Alabama.” Gray and Jean hosted friends and family at their Sperryville home prior to Jean’s death in 2003. Gray participated actively in his day-to-day cattle breeding program up to the day he went to the hospital in April. Gray is survived by his wife, Dorothy Bajak Armistead, as well as his son, Reg Armistead and his wife, Edie, of Springfield, and his daughter , Pam Wallin and her husband, Doug, of Fairfax, Virginia. He is also survived by five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Amissville United Methodist church with Rev. Maxine Crenshaw officiating. Interment will follow at Culpeper National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701, or to Amissville United Methodist Church, 14567 Lee Highway, Amissville, VA 20106, or to the charity of your choice. An online register book is available at www.foundandsons.com Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.

Reginald Gray Armistead

August 2, 1921 - June 16, 2012