Archie Emmett Cromer Jr.

Archie E. Cromer Jr., 91, of Christiansburg Virginia, passed away on March 21, after a long illness.

He was the son of the late Archie E. Cromer, Sr. and Aldean Knowles Cromer of Christiansburg. Mr. Cromer was also preceded in death by his sister, Elizibeth Cromer Jones. Archie is survived by his wife, Ruth Charlton Cromer; two sons, A. E. Cromer III of Annapolis MD., Charlton A. Cromer; one daughter, Bobby Gail Cromer; one grandson, Stuart C. Cromer; and other extended family.

Archie was a resident of Christiansburg and Montgomery County Virginia, he graduated from high school there and graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He also attended the University of North Carolina and University of Illinois in Chicago. Mr. Cromer served in World War II, as a Naval Officer in the Pacific fleet. He was an officer on a submarine interceptor ship and was engaged in numerous Pacific operations including the Okinawa invasion of 1945. Archie and Ruth Cromer were in residence in San Francisco during the later stage of WW II while Mr. Cromer served the completion of his Naval commission. After returning from the War he worked for Dunn & Bradstreet, and later worked with his father at Cromer Furniture. He operated the company for several years upon his father’s retirement. Archie was involved in numerous regional affairs and served on the Board of Directors of Carilion Healthcare, the Carilion Radford Hospitial, First National Bank, and was also was a member of the Rotary Club and served as a representative of Rotary International in England. In addition to serving in regional and national organizations, Archie Cromer was also an informed historian and enthusiast of popular and jazz music of the forties through the sixties, as well as being a jazz drummer in his early years.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 7 from 1-2 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. The funeral Service will begin at 2 p.m. in the Chapel with Rev. Henry Lindsey and Rev. Todd Triplett officiating. Internment will follow in Sunset Cemetery.

The family requests sending of flowers be limited and alternately, donations in memory of Archie Cromer may be sent to Comfort Care Senior Home LLC, 212 Woodbine Dr., Blacksburg, VA 24060 / www.blacksburgassistedliving.com . Online condolences for the family may be left by visiting www.hornefuneralservice.com .