Joseph Homer Croyle's Obituary
Joseph Homer Croyle, known to Culpeper as “Poppa J”, age 93, of Culpeper passed away Thursday, August 1, 2024 at his home in Catalpa. He was born April 18, 1931 to the late Homer Roosevelt and Leona Belle Croyle in South Fork, PA.
Poppa J grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania called Gramling town. He played football in high school and played semi-pro as a tight end. He worked in the steel mills of Pennsylvania and then joined the US Army National Guard. He was a Korean War Veteran, stationed in Germany. He loved his country. Poppa J met his dear wife Theresa on a blind date, and they very quickly fell in love, were married, and eventually moved to Northern Virginia. They were blessed with three daughters and Poppa J had a heart full of love for them. Poppa worked at the White House as a Carpenter and then finished out his career as a Building Manager, where he retired early after an accident at his home where he broke his hip. He then started a cleaning business and spent several years cleaning commercial office buildings. He began working for his son-in-law at the Culpeper Chick-fil-A, when it opened in 2007. Being a greeter there was the perfect job for him because he loved people. Meeting and serving customers brought him immense joy. After thirteen years, his time of working at Chick-fil-A ended in 2020.
Poppa J loved playing softball in the church league, in Falls Church. Being the oldest on the team, he was given the name Poppa J and it stuck. He loved hunting and fishing. He also loved football and was a faithful fan of the Washington Redskins. He proved his loyalty by always wearing a Redskins shirt, hat or both and it would always become a topic of conversation with whoever he came in contact with. Over the last few years, he began to really enjoy hockey and became a Washington Capitals fan.
Poppa J loved his wife of sixty-seven years, his family, his country, his sports, and Chick-fil-A but above all of that, he loved Jesus. He loved sharing about how Jesus had saved him and he wanted everyone he came in contact with to know that Jesus could save them too. He was an active member at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, where he loved singing in the church’s praise team. His life was not without difficulties. He lost a daughter at the age of 37, He lost a home in a “total loss” house fire, and he had many physical challenges but he never stopped trusting in his Lord. He always kept a smile on his face and a song in his heart.
Poppa J is survived by his wife, Theresa Elizabeth Croyle; daughters, Coleen Marie Flynn and Sandra Croyle Combs, and her husband, Rick; grandchildren, Crystal Marie Burton, and husband, Kevin, Paul Joseph “PJ” Flynn and wife, Karen, Jennifer Jean Lynch and William Farley, Jack Walter Lynch, III and wife, Stephanie, Brittany Nicole Robinson and husband, Linwood, Joshua Caleb Combs, Lucas Carter Combs, Rachel Elizabeth Combs, Maribeth Breann Combs, and Isaac Curtis; great-grandchildren, Hanna Elizabeth Burton, Micah Paul Burton, Leah Esther Burton, Emma Grace Burton, Easton Wade Flynn, Aubrie Denise Lynch, Jack Walter Lynch, IV, Rosalie Marie Lynch, and Elsie Shiloh Lynch; his sibling, Garnett Ross; and a host of additional extended family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Poppa J is preceded in death by his daughter, Denise Jean Lynch; and siblings, Norman Croyle, Meade Croyle and Mahlon Croyle.
The family will receive friends August 4th from 2pm to 4pm at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, 6131 Sperryville Pike, Boston, VA 22713.
A funeral service will be held on August 5th at 11am at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Harrelson and Pastor Kevin Walton officiating.
Interment will follow at Culpeper National Cemetery, 501 E. Chandler Street, Culpeper, VA 22701 with military honors provided by VFW Post 2524.
Pallbearers serving the family will be Jack Lynch, P.J. Flynn, Lucas Combs, Joshua Combs, Rick Combs, and Will Farley.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Maegen's Lasting Effect, PO Box 67 Lignum, VA 22726.
An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
What’s your fondest memory of Joseph?
What’s a lesson you learned from Joseph?
Share a story where Joseph's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Joseph you’ll never forget.
How did Joseph make you smile?
