Percy Cecil Poates, Jr.'s Obituary
TSGT Percy C. Poates, Jr. USAF, Retired, was called home by his commanding chief, the Lord on Sunday, April 3, 2016.
TSGT Poates was born April 27, 1931 to Elizabeth L. Binns Poates and Percy C. Poates, Sr. of Doswell, VA. They moved to Fredericksburg in 1939.
Percy is survived by his loving wife, Grace L. Poates; son, Carl E. Poates and his daughter, Kimberly Poates; son, Major Kevin Scott Poates, (US Army, Retired) and his wife, Jane, and their daughters, Stefanie and Jaci Poates; daughter, Deborah Ann Perry and her husband, Mason “Woodie” Perry, Jr., their children, Joseph “Joe” and his wife, Andria Perry, and Marie L. Johnson and her husband, Eric; brothers, Kenneth Poates and John W. “Billy” Poates and his wife, Denelda; stepson, Virgil Lee Abel, Jr. and his wife, Maria; granddaughter, Erika Schleigh and five great-grandchildren
He attended James Monroe High School where he was a member of the football and baseball teams, and the marching band.
On February 11, 1951, he reported to Fort Myer, VA where he enlisted in the US Air Force. As a private, he was sworn in on February 12, 1951. He arrived at Sampson AFB, NY for basic training where he was met by CPL Oliver Duff, Flight Commander. In June 1952, CPL Poates was assigned to the 3rd Hospital Group at Sampson and was then transferred to Wimpole Park England with the group which later became the 7510th USAF Hospital.
In September 1955 he was assigned to 405 Air Police Squadron, Langley AFB. In September 1958, he was assigned to the 10th Air Police Squadron Alconbury England. From August 1961 to June 1962, SSGT Poates was assigned to 1002th Air Police Squadron Andrews AFB, MD. In June 1962 he was then assigned to 1100 Air Police Squadron Bowling AFB, DC, with Duty at Armed Force Police New York City. 1966 to 1967, he was assigned to 366th & 35th Air Police Squadron Phan Rahn (Republic of Vietnam). In June 1967, TSGT Poates was reassigned to the Armed Forces Police NYC and remained there until he retired October 1, 1972.
After retiring from the Air Force, Percy Poates worked five and a half years as a police officer at National and Dulles Airports. He received two awards for outstanding duty as a police officer.
Percy Poates continued to perform his civic duties of protecting others within his community by becoming a deputy sheriff in Spotsylvania County where he served for 15 years. As Deputy Poates, he worked for Judge John A Jamison and Judge William J. Ledbetter in the Circuit Court of Spotsylvania for eight years and retired as a captain. In addition to his sheriff duties, he was a member of the Virginia Military Police. 1st LT Poates was assigned to the Virginia Defense Force in Richmond, VA.
TSGT Poates was a member of Fairview Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, and was a longtime employee for Found and Sons Funeral Chapels.
TSGT Poates was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10546, American Legion Post 55, Disabled Vets and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 15 Fredericksburg Area Veterans Council.
His family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2016 in Oak Hill Cemetery with full honors.
Online condolences may be expressed to his family at foundandsons.com.
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