Dwight Lloyd Cragun

Dwight Cragun was born October 23, 1930 in Lebanon, Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University in 1953, he married his college sweetheart, Martha Sipes, on June 27, 1953 before embarking on a career as a U.S. Army officer serving in the Quartermaster Corps. He retired in 1977 as a lieutenant colonel after 24 years of active service with duty stations in France, Korea, Panama, the Pentagon and a year-long tour in Vietnam during the height of the 1968 Tet Offensive.

It was during his tour with his family in Panama that Dwight discovered his love of the ocean. After returning to the States, he and his family spent many vacations on the water in Virginia Beach and North Carolina. A summer was not complete without a week-long beachfront vacation along the shores of the Outer Banks with his wife, four children and growing number of grandchildren.

Dwight was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church for 45 years. He was a faithful tenor in the choir for all of those years and sang right up until the Sunday before his Monday passing. He served on numerous committees and fund-raising activities, helping the church grow from its original, humble sanctuary into what it has become today. Dwight also served in a variety of community activities – Recording for the Blind, Kiwanis and the Retired Officers Association. He loved his home of 45 years in Charlottesville, tending to his garden, fishpond, and enjoying backyard wildlife until he passed away peacefully on October 30, 2023.

Dwight is predeceased by his wife Martha who passed away in 2018 after 65 years of marriage and will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. He leaves behind four children – Annette Hutchins, Dwight (Doug) Cragun, Sheila Borger, David Cragun – eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his warmth, his generosity and his lively joyous laughter.

Condolences may be shared with the family on the Tribute Wall.