Marshall Swisher Philpitt, Jr.'s Obituary
Marshall S. Philpitt, a resident of Morningside House of Leesburg, went to be with our Lord on Wed. Nov. 9, 2011, at the age of 89.
A native Miamian, Mr. Philpitt was born in Miami, FL, on February 6, 1922. He moved to Northern Virginia to be closer to family in 2002.
In 1942, Marshall proudly served his country for 25 years in the United States Air Force. During WWII, he was a B25 bomber pilot with combat missions. Mr. Philpitt’s plane went down three times during these missions with the final time finding him in the water for 22 hours before his rescue. Lt. Colonel Philpitt was decorated with the Air Medal with Clusters of Oak for his meritorious service. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force.
Mr. Philpitt was a respected business man who will be remembered throughout the business community for the integrity, enthusiasm and kindness he showed through his work.
From 1945-1980, Marshall Philpitt was the President and CEO of Philpitt’s Music Co. in Miami, FL. Philpitt’s Music Co. was located in Miami for over 60 years and offered pianos, organs, musical instruments and sheet music. He was third generation Philpitt to own the music business.
Mr. Philpitt was a member of the Society of Industrial Office Realtors (SIOR). He was commercial real estate broker from 1981-2002 with various realty companies in Miami, FL. After moving to Virginia, Marshall continued working in real estate until 2005.
Marshall was also a member of the Leesburg Rotary Club. Before moving to Virginia, he was active and served as President of the Miami Rotary Club for over 50 years. He was also a past foreman of the Miami Dade County Grand Jury and a member of the Scottish Rite Masons.
Shortly after returning home from the war in 1945, Marshall was member of Riverside Baptist Church along with his wife Dorothy. He loved and served the Lord as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for over 20 years. Marshall was later a member of University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, Florida where he and his wife showed their love of Jesus Christ by serving an adult Sunday School class. He was still reaching out to his beloved group when he moved to Virginia. Joining Purcellville Baptist Church in Purcellville, Virginia, Marshall continued to serve the Lord, always with a smile, giving love and compassion to others.
He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Dorothy.
He is survived by two daughters, Judy Williams (Mrs. David E.) of Round Hill, VA and Joan Marsengill (Mrs. Michael E.) of Boca Raton, Florida, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren, one half-sister, Patricia Haworth (Mrs. Lawrence), of Windermere, Florida and one brother, Samuel Kelley, of Bradenton, FL.
A memorial visitation will be held from 3 to 6 pm on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel.
A celebration service will follow on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 3 p.m. at Purcellville Baptist Church 601 Yaxley Drive, Purcellville, VA 20132.
Interment services will be held with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 11 am.
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