Gregory William Updike went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 2, 2017. He was diagnosed with a brain cancer 16 months ago and maintained a positive, faith-filled, enjoy life attitude throughout his time.
Greg was born on January 12, 1962 in Front Royal, Virginia. He graduated from Warren County High School in 1980 and played the saxophone for the high school band as well as playing for the Wildcat Baseball team. In 1984 he graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Finance. While there he was upper-quad backgammon champion. Greg started in the finance department of Comsat in 1984. While he never personally changed companies, he continued in the telecommunications business through countless mergers, acquisitions and take overs. He left Verizon in 2015 as a Global Account Manager.
Greg loved to play softball, bowl, cards and board games. His favorite professional teams were the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Dallas Cowboys. As our son, David, became a special Olympian, Greg became a coach and council member. Greg loved to get the most out of the athletes and to see them work as a team. He also loved watching his daughter, Kelly, play a lot of games in various sports. He was also a member and Deacon with Bentonville Baptist Church and the Apple Valley Beagle Club.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Rita of Fairfax, Virginia; son, David of Fairfax; daughter, Kelly of Fairfax; parents, John Updike, Jr. and Ruby Rudacille Updike of Bentonville, Virginia; two brothers, John Updike of Bentonville and Neal Updike and his wife, Kim and daughter Brittney of Front Royal, Virginia and many uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Burl and Avis Updike, his maternal grandparents, William and Charlotte Rudacille and his uncle, Austin Rudacille.
Greg was a blood donor and platelet donor. Please consider making a donation in his honor. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to Special Olympics – Area 26, 11350 Random Hills Road C-140, Fairfax, 22030 or to Relay for Life at JMU – Team “Stick It to Cancer” lead by Kelly or South Warren Volunteer Fire Recue or Bentonville Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal with burial to follow at Bentonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, April 7, 2017 from 6 – 8 PM.
Pallbearers will be John Updike, Neal Updike, Michael Rudacille, Catherine Rudacille, Jay Vance, and Joshua Brandon.
Honorary pallbearers will be Kenn Weir and Renee Rudacille.
Following the burial there will be a time for food and fellowship at the South Warren Volunteer Fire Department at 3330 Stonewall Jackson Highway, Bentonville.