In this section we honor those VSTUA members and volunteers who have made a major impact in the lives of others by volunteering their time as Little League umpires.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Russell Lee Pierce passed away at home in Falls Church, VA, surrounded by his family on August 18, 2023. He was 81. He was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, and took a commission in the US Air Force upon graduation from the University of Tulsa. He completed 24 years of service in defense logistics before retiring to a second career in accounting. He held a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University. He served as a Little League umpire and sideline football official in the area for more than 40 years. In 2005, he was selected to umpire in the Little League World Series, Williamsport, PA. Russ was a tremendous supporter of VSTUA and always had a kind word for all. Russ always had positive feedback; be it a suggestion to improve or a compliment on a good performance on the field. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Larry Pierce and his sister, Jan Rosborough. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carol Spivey Pierce, his son, James Russell Pierce (Erika) and his two cherished granddaughters, Elaina and Juliana Pierce. Services will be private.
Page Lee Wood, 66, of Luray, passed away on Thursday, December 1, 2022.
He was born on January 16, 1956, in Luray and was a son of the late Harrison McKinley Wood Jr. and Mary Lou Knott Clark.
Page owned and operated Page County Carpet for many years. He dedicated a lot of his life volunteering to youth organizations, his community and the residents of Page County.
On May 1, 1982, he married Anita Dare Barnett Wood, who survives.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons, Joshua Wood and wife Amy, Jason Supthin and Walter Supthin, all of Luray; three brothers, Roy Wood and wife Joyce of Rileyville, Mike Clark and wife Luann of Shenandoah, and Lonnie Clark and wife Tracey of Luray; two sisters, Joyce Painter and husband Tommy of McGaheysville, and Doris Batman and husband Michael of Shenandoah; 12 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved. He was preceded in death by a son, Brandon J. Wood.
A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, at the Rileyville Gospel Church by Pastor Donnie Lam and Pastor Josh Parlett.
We mourn the loss of Ted Deming, Ted was a long time member of VSTUA and served on the Board of Directors.
Theodore E. (Ted) Deming, Captain U.S. Coast Guard (ret), passed away at his Arlington home on June 12, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his devoted wife Roz Ridgway who was at his side throughout and his brother-in-law Robert E. Ridgway. He was predeceased by his parents, Alma Hopper Beigh and Ernest DeEsting Deming.
Born on July 17, 1937, Captain Deming served 30 years in the US Coast Guard including duty in Viet Nam 1967-1968. He was a Little League umpire for nearly three decades.
There will be a gathering of friends and colleagues at Murphy’s Funeral Home, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 17 at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA. The burial at St. Paul’s Rock Creek Cemetery will be private.
A more complete obituary and information about memorial gifts may be found on the Murphy Funeral Home website.
- Memorial gifts may be made to:
- Arlington Food Assistance Center, 2708 S. Nelson Street, Arlington, VA 22206, afac.org.
- Arlington Little League, P.O. Box 3755, Arlington, VA 22203
- U.S. Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, P.O. Box 97261, Washington, D.C. 20077, cgmahq.org
Little League® International mourns the passing of Little League Baseball® Europe Region Tournament umpire and former Virginia Assistant District 9 Administrator Anthony Musco. He was 95.
Mr. Musco, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, served in the United States Navy for 20 years (1943 to 1963).
Beginning his volunteer service to Little League as an umpire while in the Navy, his first games were experienced in Rota, Spain, in the late 1950s. His home Little League was in West Springfield, Virginia, where he officiated games well into his 80s. Mr. Musco, who dedicated more than 70 years to umpiring Little League games, traveled to Kutno, Poland, on several occasions to officiate the Little League Baseball Europe Region Tournament. In recent years, Virginia District 9 has honored his exceptional lifetime of service, with annual presentation of the Musco Award to an individual who exemplifies dedication and service the Little League program.
Mr. Musco is survived by his wife of 75 years, Jane; daughters, Linda, Patrice, Cathy, and Michele; twin brother, Sebastian; 17 grandchildren, and 27 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Carmelo, and Lucia Musco; daughter, Paula; and eight siblings.
Butch Sullivan, 68, of Manassas (District 10) passed away on 08 September 2019. Butch was the Chief Umpire at Manassas Park. Services will be held on Saturday, 28 September 2019 at Ames Funeral Home, 8914 Quarry Road, Manassas, Virginia. Visitation will be from 10:00am to 11:00am with the service following right after.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thomas Barber, 69, of Richardsville (Culpeper) (District 14) passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 14, 2017. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence O. and Leonora Barber; and sister Carolyn Shellman. He is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Lou and children Joshua and Jason Barber and Richard Phillips. He is also survived by his brother, Clifford Barber (Kathy) and sisters Betty Betsill, Marilyn Barber, Linda Wright; plus numerous nieces and nephews. Tom loved giving back to the community. He was active in Little League baseball as a coach, umpire, and head of the umpire association on the local (District 14) and state levels. Tom umpired in the 2007 Little League World Series. He was also a Shriner out of Tampa Bay, Florida. Tom formed his own home inspection, radon mitigation company that is still operated by his children. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, September 23 at Richardsville United Methodist Church, located at 29235 Richards Ferry Road, Richardsville, VA 22736. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be private.
Please keep Tom’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Joseph (Joe) Honto Jr.of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, (District 11). Passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 from an apparent heart attack.
Joe was born on January 3, 1948 in Dante, VA, to Joseph and Beulah Honto. He graduated from Clinch Valley College in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Public Administration. He worked as an insurance agent and auditor for more than 40 years.
Joe had a passion for sports, especially for football and baseball. He enjoyed refereeing high school football, and was very involved in little league baseball. He umpired baseball for more than 30 years, having had the privilege to umpire the 2001 Big League World Series in Easley, SC.
Joe is survived by his wife Audrey and son Ben, along with his brother Steve and his wife Susan. He is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Beulah, and by his son Paul.
A viewing will be held at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, VA Saturday evening, June 18, 2016 from 6 pm to 8 pm, with a short service afterwards. A private burial service will be held at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood, VA on Monday, June 20, 2016.
Ed Young of Sterling, Virginia, (District 16). Passed away September 26th, 2016, at Loudoun Hospital. Born June 12, 1947, in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of Edward August, Sr. and Mary Kathryn (Echols) Young. He married Janice Louise Vittore on July 17, 1976; she survives. Edward retired from the U.S. Government in 2011 after 38 years of service, including a four-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, with a tour in Vietnam. He was a member and active volunteer in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Historical Society for 38 years. He also was very active in Little League Baseball, dedicating 29 years of service to Lower Loudoun Little League in Sterling. Edward was especially active as a volunteer umpire; he was a life member of the Virginia State Tournament Umpire Association and of the Little League World Series Alumni International. After his retirement, Edward spent considerable time conducting historical research and writing about the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In addition to his wife, survivors include: son, Brendan Young, his wife, Beryl Ayn, and granddaughter, Brielle, of Lovettsville, Virginia; brother Carl F. Young, of Pataskala, Ohio. He is also survived by nephews, Taylor Dee and Michael Young, and niece, Elaine Young. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Evelyn Young, and a granddaughter, Isabella Rose.
Johnny Ray Trent, 61, Ft. Blackmore, VA died at his home surrounded by his friends and family on Tuesday, May 20, 2014.
Johnny was born in Kingsport, TN on October 21, 1952 to the late John H. and Margaret Massie Trent. He graduated from Milligan College in 1976 and immediately started his teaching career in 1977 until his retirement 34 years later. He was a teacher and coach in Scott County, VA.
Johnny was largely involved in the establishment of the Little League of Scott County. He was a member of the Virginia State Tournament Umpire Association, a State Officer in the Little League Association, and he also officiated many high school sports events. Johnny was also a leader in the community. He was a volunteer for the Scott County and Nickelsville Rescue Squads, and a member of the Virginia Education Association (VEA). Johnny enjoyed his time traveling and spending time with his family and his friends.
He is survived by his children, Jennifer Trent Begley and boyfriend, Justin Stanley, Ft. Blackmore, VA and Nicole Trent and “adopted” daughter, Amber Adams, Wise, VA; granddaughter, Alisha Begley; grandson, Levi Begley; brother, Ronnie Trent and wife, Carol, Ft. Blackmore, VA; sisters, Patsy Hartsock and husband, Leslie, Kingsport, TN and Margie Trent of Lexington, NC; nieces, Becky Hosein and husband, Wahid, Church Hill, TN and Robin Cole and husband, James, Gate City, VA; and nephew, Ryne Trent, Ft. Blackmore, VA.
James Allen Whitesell of Culpeper, Virginia, (Dostrict 14). Passed away on the evening of Monday, August 12, 2013, at Culpeper Regional Hospital. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, August 15, 2013, at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, Virginia. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 16, 2013, at Culpeper Baptist Church with Pastor David Williamson officiating. Interment will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 17, 2013, at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.
The Association extends our deepest sympathy to the Whitesell Family.
Roger Sims, of (District 4) died Sunday, May 18, 2012. In honor of Roger’s request, we are sorry to send this email and inform you he lost his battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) yesterday. Roger battled for more than two years as he dealt with this devastating disease. More recently over the past year, much of his communication with friends and family was done through email and we thank everyone for their continued encouragement, support, and prayers.
Jim Griffin, 63, of Portsmouth (District 6) died Sunday, May 9, 2010 in his residence. A native of Suffolk , he was an account representative for Frischkorn Inc. He was a baseball umpire and a member of the Virginia Officials Association and the Portsmouth Sports Club, a volunteer for PIT, and a master gardener intern. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve. He is survived by his wife, Patsy M. Griffin; a son, Ryan R. Griffin of Portsmouth ; a brother, William Moore of Chesapeake ; aunts and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Preston Ray and Frances Redd Griffin; a brother, Lindell Griffin Moore; and YaYa and Pappy. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, in Sturtevant Funeral Home, Portsmouth Blvd. Chapel, by the Revs. Tom Potter and Ricky Moore. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Portsmouth Sports Club Scholarship Fund. www.SturtevantFuneralHome.com.
Jim was a member of VSTUA for more than 11 years. The Association extends our deepest sympathy to the Griffin Family.
Gary Harris, 63, of Appalachia (District 11), passed away on Friday, 15 January 2010. Gary was one of the founders of the District 11 Umpires Association (before we became District 13) and an Umpire Consultant for the district. He was an Assistant District Administrator while we were part of District 11. He also helped to organize Appalachia Little League in the 1970’s. Gary served as Vice President of the Virginia State Tournament Umpire Association in 1987 & 1988. The Association extends our deepest sympathy to the Harris Family.
Dave Rash, (District 10), passed away on Sunday, 07 September 2008.
The association extends our deepest sympathy to the Rash Family.
Jeff Cobb, of Sterling (District 10), passed away on Friday, 23 February 2007.
The association extends our deepest sympathy to the Cobb Family.
David Kidwell, Jr. of Stephens City (District 3), passed away on Wednesday, February 16, 2005. The association extends our deepest sympathy to the Kidwell Family.
Charles R. MacDonald, 69, of Culpeper (District 14), died on Monday, October 28, 2002, unexpectedly. Mr. MacDonald was actively involved with Moore Golf Culpeper Little League now known as Canavan Complex, where he volunteered his time running the concession stand, “Charlie’s Place”. He was very involved with various sports in the area. The association extends our deepest sympathy to the MacDonald Family.
Walter Lee (Bubba-Kat) Stapleton Jr., 57, of Richlands (District 11), passed away Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2002 in a Tazewell, Va. hospital following a brief illness. Kat was a member of the VSTUA association for more than 25 years. Kat brought alot of joy and smiles to everyone within the Little League and Umpiring Community. He will be sadly missed. The association extends our deepest sympathy to the Stapleton Family.