George "Dick" Wharton

George R. “Dick” Wharton, 85, of Amanda, passed away on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Lanfair Center.  He was born March 3, 1933 in Rockbridge and was the son of the late Buryl Franklin and Anna Louise (Moyer) Wharton.  Dick was a graduate of Amanda High School.  He then entered the Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict Era and flew many combat missions during the Vietnam War.  He retired from the Air Force in 1973.  He ran many local businesses in Amanda, including a gas station and hardware store.  Dick was a FAA Flight Instructor and ran the Pickaway County and Fairfield County Airports.  He was a former chief of Amanda Twp. Fire Department, Amanda Twp. Trustee for over 20 years and a school bus driver for Amanda Clearcreek.
         He is survived by his three children, Staryl Wharton, Scott Wharton and Brent (Michele) Wharton; grandchildren, Heather Wharton, Thomas (Brooke) Wharton, Shawn Wharton and Kiersten (Jared) Bestgen; great grandson, Easton Richard Wharton; brother, Danny (Carolyn) Wharton and three nephews.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy on March 22, 2015 and a brother, Don Wharton.
         Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda.  Burial with military honors will follow in Amanda Twp. Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.