Wendell Compton

Mr. Wendell Ray Compton, age 80, of Norton, Virginia, died Monday, February 8, 2010 at the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, following a long and continuous illness. His immediate family was at his bedside. He was born at Whitewood, Virginia on December 14, 1929 and was the son of the late Hannibal A. and Celia Cox Compton. Mr. Compton was a graduate of Grundy Senior High School Class of 1947 and had served in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953 during the Korean War. After discharge, he entered Virginia Tech and received a mining engineering degree in 1957. He spent most of his career with the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, beginning as a Staff Engineer. He served as the agency’s District 5 manager in Norton form 1971 through 1977. He left to become general manager of Apache Coal Co. in Feds Creek, Kentucky for several years and then returned to MSHA, serving as manager of District 1, Wilkes Barre, PA and as Staff Engineer at the headquarters in Arlington and Pikeville, KY. He was of the Protestant Faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Victor H. Compton and Ralph W. Compton. Survivors are: His Wife of 50 years: Betty Smith Compton Three Daughters: Linda Brooks of Norton, Virginia Brenda Palmer of Norton, Virginia Deborah Lawson and husband, Gerald of Norton, Virginia One Son: Stephen Compton and wife, Shirley of Lebanon, Virginia Two Brothers: William Blake Compton and wife, Shelby of Grundy, Virginia H.C. Lodge Compton of Grundy, Virginia Four Grandsons: Jason Brooks, Christopher Palmer, Jarrod Smith, and Adam Smith Three Great Grandchildren: Sloan Palmer, Keegan Palmer, and Troy Brooks Surrogate Sons: Walter Dale (Tommy) Smith and David Harvey Smith Memorial services for Wendell Ray Compton will be conducted Friday, February 12, 2010 at 7:00pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Virginia with the Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Friends may call after 5:00pm Friday at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Norton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1267, Norton, VA 24273. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Virginia is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com

Wendell Compton

December 14, 1929 - February 8, 2010