Eldridge Brock

Eldridge Whittford Brock, 93, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on February 3, 2024.

He was born January 22, 1931, to Moody Whittford Brock and Agnes Burgess Brock in Harnett County, NC.

He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Rebecca "Beckie" Howell Brock.

He leaves behind three children, Debra Brown (Radford), Alan Brock, and Wanda Deese (Kirk); two grandchildren, Ashleigh Brown Martin (Josh) and Gardner Brown (Andrea); and eight great-grandchildren.

He was the oldest of eight children, Roy Brock (Ann), Lamar Brock (Shelby), Larry Brock (Trisha); and was predeceased by Floyd Brock (Donna), Fred Brock (Sheryl), Dorothy Brock Bain (Hugh), and Wayne Brock (Althea).

Eldridge grew up near Bunnlevel, NC, south of Lillington. He was a 1949 graduate of Lillington High School. He attended Harmony Baptist Church and made a profession of faith at thirteen. His commitment to his faith was his focus throughout his life.

He attended North Carolina State College, now University, earning a degree in agronomy in 1952. He and his wife Beckie were married in his senior year.

Eldridge was active in the Army Reserve Officers Training Corp program and upon graduation was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was called to active duty in July of 1953, at Fort Benning, in Georgia. Eldridge served first as an Infantry Officer and later in the Transportation Corps. In 1954, he graduated from Army Pilot Training and was assigned to West Germany. He became an instructor pilot, and instrument flying instructor, as well as an instrument examiner. He held multi-engine ratings in fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Eldridge was qualified as first pilot in over twenty different types of airplanes and helicopters.

During his service, Eldridge logged almost 5,000 flying hours. He achieved the distinction of attaining the rating of Master Army Aviator, the highest rating given to Army pilots.

He was privileged to serve for more than 5 years with the Army Aviation Test Board as a Developmental Test Pilot and Instructor Pilot and running the Army's acceptance test for the CH-54 Flying Crane, heavy lift helicopter used today by many firefighting teams. He later commanded a Flying Crane company in Vietnam.

Eldridge was a decorated veteran, receiving a Bronze Star Medal, with a "V" for valor, Meritorious Service Medals, fourteen Air Medal awards, Army of Occupation Medal for his service in West Germany and Vietnam Service Medals to name a few. He served two combat tours, in Vietnam logging 798 hours of combat support flying, two European tours and had numerous stateside assignments.

He obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Auburn while serving and his military schooling included the US Air Force Air Command and Staff College. He also served as a staff officer at Headquarters, US European Command.

He retired from the United States Army in 1975, with the rank of Lt. Col. after 22 years of active duty, while stationed at Fort Lee, near Petersburg, VA. After leaving the service, he and his family remained in residence in Chester, VA.

His passion for flying did not end with his retirement, however, as he and Beckie continued to enjoy and fly his Mooney aircraft for 26 years until 2014. Altogether, his flying experience covered a period of sixty years.

After retiring from active military service, Eldridge joined Virginia's State Government in the Department of Planning and Budget and then moved to the Department of Information Technology, retiring from a second career of public service in 1990, as the Management Consulting Director for the Executive Branch.

As stated, Eldridge's focus on his faith carried throughout his life. While serving overseas, he and Beckie were active members of off-post and on-post ministries, serving in numerous leadership roles. Eldridge even found a Baptist Church to attend while stationed in Vietnam and West Germany.

Eldridge, Beckie, and family joined Chester Baptist Church in 1973, and his devotion to service there continued until his passing. While there he served as a Deacon, Chairman of the Deacons, and served on virtually every committee there. He taught Sunday School there for almost the entirety of his membership, some fifty years.

In 2001, he and Beckie were instrumental in bringing the Shepherd's Center to Chester Baptist Church. They were asked to assist the center to move to another location with more space and that lead to the move to Chester Baptist. The program continues today and provides significant outreach to the surrounding community. Eldridge retired from the Board of the Center but, after Beckie's death in 2015, was asked to return and continued to be an active Board member until his passing.

In 2008, he was one of three inducted annually into the Chesterfield Senior Citizen Volunteer Hall of Fame for his efforts in supporting various non-church programs in the county.

Eldridge loved and treasured his family and was loved in return. He will be greatly missed but his family is comforted in the knowledge that he is now with his beloved wife, Beckie and his Lord.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 11, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m., at Chester Baptist Church, 4317 School St., Chester, VA 23831. Interment to follow at 2 p.m., at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Chester Baptist Church or The Shepherd's Center.