Chaplain (Ret)

DATELINE: Ruby, SC

DECEASED: Chaplain Douglas Allen Venters Maj. USAF (Ret), age 86, died Tuesday, November 9, 2010.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 12, 2010 at the Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home Chapel

INTERMENT WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS: to follow in the Ruby Cemetery

VISITATION: 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. Friday, November 12, 2010 prior to the service at the Funeral Home, and 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. following the Interment in the Fellowship Hall of Ruby Baptist Church

HISTORY: Douglas was born August 31, 1924 in Badin, NC, son of the late Benjamin B. and Mollie Tindal Venters. He was married to Thelma Thurman on August 31, 1948. He received his BA degree from Furman University and his BD from Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Texas. He did further graduate study at NC Baptist Hospital Bowman Gray School of Medicine and in Texas at Houston Medical Center. Douglas pastored Richfield Baptist Church in NC. He was a member of Ruby Baptist Church, The Retired Officers Association, and the Disabled American Veterans.
Douglas served his country as a Marine from 1942 - 1946 in Paris Island, Camp Lejeune, NC; Camp Pendleton, CA; Marine Camp, San Diego, CA; and Camp Tarawa, HI. He participated in action against the enemy at Iwo Jima, in the Volcano Islands, and with the occupational forces in Japan. He retired from the USAF after serving as a Chaplain at Biggs AFB, TX; Yokota AFB, Japan; DaNang AFB, S. Vietnam; Shaw AFB; Dominican Republic; Phu Cat AFB, S. Vietnam; Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Hof AS, Germany; and Andrews AFB, DC. Chaplain Venters received numerous awards and medals including, Parachute Wings 1943, twelve Ribbons with Two Oak Leaf Clusters Major Battle Star, Iwo Jima 1945, AF Commendation Medal 1967, Bronze Star 1968. In addition to his parents, Douglas was preceded in death by his son, Kyle Venters.

SURVIVORS:
Wife of 62 years: Thelma Thurman Venters of the home
Also: a number of Nieces and Nephews

Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC
(www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Venters family.

FUNERAL SERVICEl: 2:00 PM Friday, November 12, 2010 at Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home

INTERMENT: to follow in the Ruby Cemetery, with Full Military Honors by Shaw AFB

VISITATION: 1:00 - 2:00 PM Friday, November 12, 2010 prior to the service at the Funeral Home and 3:00 - 4:00 PM following the Interment at Ruby Baptist Church Fellowship Hall