Donald Pat Wirt

Abingdon, VA – Donald Pat “Don” Wirt, age 74, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2015, in Abingdon, VA. He was born March 11, 1941, the second of three children born to the late Earnest Paul Wirt and Toy Lee Altizer Wirt in Radford, VA. Don was a veteran of the United States Navy having served from April of 1958-January of 1962 aboard the U.S.S. Coral Sea among others ships. He retired as a Lieutenant from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries after 40 years in law enforcement. He received many awards and recognitions for his service as a law enforcement officer, hunting education instructor, firearm safety instructor, and boating safety instructor. Following his retirement, Don enjoyed restoring antique tractors and vehicles, traveling with his family, and working at Farris Funeral Service. He was highly involved in his community being a 49 year member of the Virginia May Masonic Lodge #38 of Radford, VA; Jericho Shrine Temple; Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1966 of Washington County, VA; Fraternal Order of Police New River Valley Lodge #21; American Legion, Washington County Post #12; AARP; Old Glade Antique Tractor Association; American Truck Historical Society; Antique Automobile Club of America; and the Early Ford V-8 Club. In addition to his parents, Don was also preceded in death by two sisters, Shelba W. Pugh and Shirley W. Altizer. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 ½ years, Patricia Webber “Polly” Wirt; two sons, Earnest Ray Wirt and wife Pamela of Strasburg, OH and Donald Eugene Wirt of Christiansburg, VA; four grandchildren, Suzanne L. Wirt and W. Andrew Wirt of Abingdon, VA and Mary Ann Wirt and Lauren Wirt of Strasburg, OH. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Phyllis Cantor officiating. The antique hearse Don helped restore will be provided by McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg, VA for his transportation to the cemetery. Interment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens where Jerry Atkins, Greg Caldwell, Wayne Campbell, Warren Ferguson, Wayne Guffey, W. Andrew Wirt, Donald Eugene Wirt, and Earnest Ray Wirt will serve as pallbearers. Dr. James Bowden, Phillip Fleenor, Donald Hinchey, members of local and state law enforcement and conservation police, as well as his coffee buddies will serve as honorary pallbearers. Military Honors will be provided by the Lebanon VFW Post #9864 and the United States Navy. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m.-7:45p.m. Tuesday, July 28th at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Masonic Funeral Rites at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday provided by the Virginia May Lodge #38. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the military assistance program of your choice, or a donation of blood may be made to your local blood bank in Don’s name. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook. The family of Donald Pat Wirt is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).