Jaeger, Walter O., 94, of Palmyra, Virginia, on January 3, 2013. Arrangements are in the care of the Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home, Palmyra, Va.
Walter (Wally to all) Otto Jaeger, 94, a 30-year resident of Lake Monticello in Palmyra, Virginia, passed away at his home, surrounded by family on Thursday morning, January 3, 2013, after a brief illness. Mr. Jaeger was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marie, and his first cousins Jim Lathrop and Cliff Lathrop.
Mr. Jaeger was born in New York, NY, the son of Walter Otto Jaeger and Julia Breiha Jaeger, on December 22, 1918.
In 1941, while attending Brown University, Wally joined the US Army Air Force to serve his country during World War II. After serving in Prestwick, Scotland, he left the service in April, 1946 as a Captain. While stationed at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Presque Isle, ME, Wally met his soul mate, Marie Gregory, at the Armistice Day dance held at Caribou High School, Caribou, ME, November 11, 1942. He married Marie on January 20, 1943 in Palm Beach, Florida.
After leaving the Army in 1946, Wally and Marie settled in Marie’s hometown of Caribou, Maine. Wally worked as an oil distributor with Aroostook Petroleum, owned and operated Jaeger Charcoal Briquette Co., and retired as national sales manager for Cornell Manufacturing in 1982. During his business travels, Wally fell in love with Charlottesville VA, and moved his family to the area in 1965. He and Marie retired at Lake Monticello in 1983. Wally was an avid golfer and generous giver, serving on numerous boards and committees throughout his lifetime as a member of the School Board, Caribou, Me; Treasurer, St Luke’s Episcopal Church, Caribou, ME; Aroostook Valley Country Club Golf; and in Charlottesville, VA as a Board Member and Golf Committee member, Keswick Country Club. For over ten years during his retirement, Wally remained an active member of the community as a Volunteer Tax Preparer and Instructor with the AARP Tax Service for the elderly; and worked as a starter for the Farmington Country Club.
Wally served on the Lake Monticello Board of Directors [1990], and multiple terms on the Golf Committee, the Food Service Committee, the Compliance Committee and many ad hoc committees dealing with finances, and planning for future needs of the community. Wally attended many BOD meetings, speaking to issues which concerned him and to which he brought valid insight and meaningful suggestions to directors. Wally was always willing and active in providing many, many hours of dedicated service in “growing” Lake Monticello. He had a genuinely warm personality, which brought a joyful and fun time at social activities because he so enjoyed people. At 94 years of age, he could still consistently hit the golf ball straight down the middle of the fairway.
Wally Jaeger is survived by his six children, Sybil Rahilly (husband Donald) of Beaufort, NC, Greg Jaeger (wife Jan) of Midlothian, VA, Wally Jaeger (wife Owen) of Advance Mills, VA, Charles Jaeger of Gordonsville, VA, Margaret Meyer (husband Hank) of Auburn, ME, and Alison Jaeger of Beaufort, NC; nine grandchildren, G. Richard Jaeger of Washington, DC, Michael Meyer (wife Ji) of Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan Rahilly of Dayton, OH, Mathew Jaeger of Charlottesville, VA, Seth Meyer (wife Florence) of Manhattan, NY, Erica May (husband Patrick) of Williamsburg, VA, Bethany Break (husband Phillip) of Jacksonville, NC, John Martin and Reynolds Martin of Advanced Mills, VA; and one great-grandchild, Dylan Jaeger of Germantown, MD.
Wally Jaeger will be greatly missed as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He always gave positive encouragement to all and we will miss the Happy Thoughts.
The family received family and friends on Monday, January 7, 2013 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home, 138 Heritage Drive, Palmyra, VA. A Memorial Service followed by interment was held at St Luke’s, Simeon Episcopal Church, Route 53, Monticello, on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Monticello Rescue Squad, Slice Court, Palmyra VA; or the St. Luke’s, Simeon Episcopal Church Outreach Programs, P.O. Box 694, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com.
