ORVIL THOMAS ROBERTSON, SR.

Services for Msgt. Orvil Thomas Robertson, Sr., will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore, with the Rev. John Saint officiating. Burial will follow in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Mt. Enterprise. Mr. Robertson died Dec. 1 at Beacon Hospice in Longview.

He was born in Taney County, Mo., on Nov. 3, 1912, the son of Samuel David and Ellen Hertweck Robertson. He enlisted in the military in May 1935 and served in the Army 18th Field Artillery and 29th Infantry at Fort Sill, Okla. He served in World War II and at many stations through the years, including Korea, where he served with the 27th Fighter Escort Wing. His last active duty assignment was as Parachute Instructor at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Ill. In 1978, he retired and moved his family to Kilgore. He received many awards, medals and commendations during his years of service.

He was a member of White Oak United Methodist Church for 30 years before becoming ill.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Norma L. Robertson; sons Orvil Jr. and wife Becky of Sherman and Kenneth and wife Teresa of Sabitha, Kan.; daughter Marsha Thorpe and husband Randy of Kilgore; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore.