Virgil Robert Ladson Jr.

He was born to Edna and Virgil Ladson on 1/5/31 in Savannah, Georgia. He graduated from Beach High School in Savannah. He received a BS in Chemistry from Savanah State University in 1952 and MA in Aero Operations Management from the University of Southern California in 1966. He entered the United States Air Force in December 1953 as a Second Lieutenant. Part of his duties included serving as a navigator on the B-54 and B-52 bombers. He was honorably discharged after 20 years of service at the rank of Major. He then worked for Rockwell, International, for another 20 years before he retired a second time.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Iona Ladson, brother-in-law, Lee Bolden, sister-in-law, Mary Bolden, and niece, Kamala Scarborough. He met his wife while they both were stationed at Fairchild AFB in Washington. They were married on 12/15/56 at Travis AFB in California. He is survived by his children, Stephanie (Richard Wofford) Ladson-Wofford, Gregory Ladson, and Corey Ladson, and grandchildren, Kenny Walker, Eilene Ladson, Jayden Wofford, Jerrin Wofford, and Jeila Wofford, and grandniece, Sevetra Scarborough. He also has a number of surviving cousins including Anthony Ayres, Naomi Ayres, and Angela Ayres.

Virgil was inducted into the Gamma Zeta chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity while attending Savannah State University. He remained a lifelong active member of his fraternity. He was active in the Lions Clubs International in Gahanna, Ohio, and Roswell, Georgia. He was an avid fan of USC Trojans. He was an active member of St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, where he served in multiple capacities including usher, finance committee member, adult choir participant, and communications liaison for senior ministries. Together with Iona, he “adopted” many into their family, both young and old.

A memorial service will be held at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 East Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, on Friday, August 30, 2024 at 4pm. Visitation will begin at the funeral home following the service from 5pm-7pm.

Inurnment will take place privately at a later date at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.