James Gurney Upton, Sr., 83, passed away July 15, 2015 in his home.
Mr. Upton, a native of Bertie County, N.C., was the son of the late James Q. Upton and Mildred Broglin Upton. He retired from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a production controller after 29 years of service. He was predeceased in 2005 by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn Edwards Upton. He was an avid Mets and Dolphins fan, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
Survivors include his three daughters, Janine Upton Garrett and husband Denis, Darlene Upton Fields and husband Larry, Carolyn Gail Upton; two sons, Jim Upton, Jr. and wife Ann, and Duane Upton. Also surviving are two sisters, Betty U. Phelps and Rachel Matthews; six grandchildren, Chris Upton (Ashley), Kimberly F. Howland (Casey), Brandon Fields (Dana), Denis Cole Garrett, Justin Garrett, and Kyle Garrett; five great-grandchildren, Noah, Ross, Grayson, Colby, and Alyssa. Also, he was predeceased by a brother, Robert D. Upton; two brothers-in-law, Robert Phelps and Paul Matthews; and a nephew, Michael S. Upton.
Friends may join the family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Baker-Foster Funeral Home, Bennett's Creek Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18 at the funeral home by his nephew, Rev. Paul Kenneth Matthews. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens, Suffolk. Condolences may be registered at bakerfoster.com.