John Stephen Proctor, Sr., Sergeant Major (Ret.) U. S. Army, 84, of Raleigh died Wednesday at Hospice of Wake County’s William M. Dunlap Center for Caring Home. John was a native of Raleigh, and the son of the late Steve and Blanche Proctor. He graduated from Cathedral Latin School, and attended Georgetown University before beginning his long and distinguished career in the US Army.
Sgt. Major Proctor served in the Pacific Theater during WWII; one tour during the Korean Conflict, and later serving again in Korea after the war; and two separate tours during the Vietnam War. His awards , citations, and medals were many, but most notably he received the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He also received service awards including participation for 15 designated campaigns during WWII; Korea; and Vietnam. He retired from the US Army after 34 years, in 1978.
He enjoyed nature, loved animals, gardening, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Yukiko N. Proctor.
Surviving are his two children, son, John S. Proctor, Jr. and wife Nancy; daughter, Theresa “ Mimi” Richardson, and husband Gene; three grandchildren, Mark Richardson and wife Stephanie, John and Reed Proctor; one great grandchild, Thomas Quinn Richardson; brothers, Theodore and James Proctor; and a sister, Theresa Windham, all family of Raleigh.
The family would like to thank his loving caregiver, Cynthia Nivar, her son, Sergio and sister, Rissell.
A funeral mass will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at 11am at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 200 Hillsborough Street Raleigh. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Historic Oakwood Cemetery’s Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Wake County; Foundation of Hope; or to any animal rescue charity.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s Street Raleigh, and condolences may be made through www.brownwynneraleigh.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18