Col. Joseph Magdich, Jr.
Colonel Joseph Magdich, Jr. USAF, Retired, 89, of Winchester, VA died Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Blue Ridge Hospice.
Joe was born in 1922, the son of the late Joseph and Rose Magdich. He grew up in Moundsville, WV, and upon graduation from high school in 1940, he enlisted in the Army. He volunteered for the Army Air Corp, as he had always yearned to fly airplanes. In World War II he became a Flight Commander and joined the 17th Bomb Group in North Africa. He flew sixty-seven combat missions over Italy and Germany.
After the war, Joe remained in the Air Force Reserves and attended Ohio State University. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. During this time Joe met Doris. They married, and he was recalled into the Air Force to serve during the Korean War. Joe was always eager to serve his country, and this thirty one year career in the military took him and his family to many interesting parts of the country.
His final years were spent in comfortable retirement with Doris in Winchester, VA.
Surviving with his wife are four daughters: Susan Holland and husband Larry of Taylorsville, NC; Lauren Lohr and husband Michael of Evanston, IL; Patricia Prime and husband Kenneth of Gainesville, VA; and Nancy Bruno and husband John of Millbrook, NY; eight grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marcus Magdich.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 A.M. on Tuesday at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel with Father Tim Illsley officiating. Interment will be in Shenandoah Memorial Park. Full military honors will be accorded by VFW Post # 2123.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Church of the Holy Spirit, 103 Reams Station Court, Stephens City, VA 22655, attention Father Tim Illsley, telephone 540-868-2938.
Please view obituaries and tribute wall at www.ompsfuneralhome.com.