Virgil R. Homan, Jr., 97, died Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Taylor Healthcare Center in Grafton.
“Junior,” as he was known for most of his life, was born Oct. 8, 1927, at home in Sugar Grove, the fourth son of the late Dr. Virgil R. Homan, Sr. and Leafy Mitchell Homan.
Mr. Homan was a life-long member of Francis Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church and held many roles there throughout the years.
He graduated from Franklin High School in 1947. Prior to graduation, he joined the Virginia National Guard’s 29th Division, Company C, and remained in the Guard for more than 20 years.
He was a charter member of both the Sugar Grove Lion’s Club, and the short-lived Sugar Grove Ruritan’s Club, and an honorary Kentucky Colonel. In his later years, he so enjoyed the monthly lunches at Panno’s with his former National Guardsmen, as well as the lunch meetings held by the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
He held a variety of jobs throughout his life. Following high school, he drove a school bus that transported children who lived in the ridges at the foot of Reddish Knob, on land the federal government eventually claimed when building the Sugar Grove Naval Radio Station, in the mid-1950s. He was the second local civilian employed by the Naval Research Laboratory and worked in a variety of capacities while employed there. In 1975, he retired as an electrical engineering technician when the Navy reduced their civilian workforce.
When that door closed, he eventually bought a milk route and began the job he enjoyed most, a wholesale milk distributor for Shenandoah’s Pride. He loved driving and meeting people and talking. Before he retired, his route had grown to cover businesses in Grant and Rockingham (Virginia) counties, in addition to Pendleton.
No matter where he was working, he helped on his family’s farm in his off-hours. In his later years, his main farm job was to repair equipment his brother, Reid, broke.
He enjoyed traveling with his family to the Outer Banks every year, and he, Jeanne, and Reid kept the road between Sugar Grove and Harrisonburg, Virginia, busy well into their eighties.
Thankfully, his family will be able to enjoy his other passion, furniture refinishing, for many years to come. He created some beautiful pieces over the years that will now become treasured heirlooms.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
On Dec. 12, 1959, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, he married Jeanne Bowman, who preceded him in death on Jan. 14, 2018. Together they had three children, a son, Gregory Scott, who died as an infant; and two daughters, Julie Homan of Verona, Virginia, and Jill Holmes (Scott) of Bridgeport, who survive.
In his golden years, his greatest joys were his two granddaughters, Taylor and Rachel Holmes, and his grandson, Wyatt Smith, with whom he shared his love of coin collecting.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is also survived by sisters-in-law, Jean Bowman, Jean Ann Homan, and Loretta Homan; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Morris, Richard, Reid, Walter and John; his beloved dog, Patches; and many friends and extended family members.
Funeral services were held Sunday in the chapel of the Basagic Funeral Home in Franklin with Rev. Leon Hevener officiating. Interment was in Sugar Grove Cemetery at Sugar Grove.
For those wishing to make a charitable contribution in his honor, please consider South Fork Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 297, Brandywine, WV 26802 or any Pendleton County Rescue Squad. Given his love for animals, and in honor of the many stray cats he fed over the years, and the stray dogs he adopted, a monetary donation on the Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) website, or the gift of supplies or a willingness to foster or adopt stray animals would also be appreciated.
Memories and words of comfort may be left at www.basagic.com.
