Roy Thomas Dasher

Roy Thomas Dasher, 95, of Valdosta, died on September 29, 2015, at Fellowship Home. A native of Lowndes County, he was born in Bemiss on May 21, 1920, son of the late Mitchell Dasher and Nellie Mathis Dasher. He was a graduate of Valdosta High School in the late 1930's. Going on to the University of Georgia, he graduated in the early 1940's before joining the U.S. Marines. Early in his Marine Corps career, his lifelong sweetheart from Hahira, Myrtle Touchton, flew to Santa Barbara where they were married in 1943. During WWII, he served as a Marine Aviator in the Pacific flying F4U – Corsairs. Mr. Dasher was the last surviving member of Gregory "Pappy" Boyington's VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron. During the Korean War, he led a helicopter platoon. He was also a favorite pilot of the General Staff when they needed a helicopter to tour the battlefield. Following the war, Mr. Dasher took reserve officer status in the Marine Corps and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the late 1970's. The Dasher's soon moved to Puerto Rico in the late 1950's and established Puerto Rico Concrete Industries which they owned for 20 years. Following his retirement there, the Dashers returned to Valdosta. In retirement Mr. Dasher enjoyed playing golf with the "Old Men" at the Valdosta Country Club and fishing at Ocean Pond. With a sharp wit and a loving sense of humor, he was a humble man who did not boast of his remarkable military and career accomplishments.
Survivors are his wife Myrtle, whom he loved and doted on for 72 years; nephew and partner, Jim Touchton and Terence Sullivan of Lake Park; nephew and spouse, Sammy and Pam Dasher of Folkston; niece, Jeree Blanchard of Pinellas Park, Florida; dear friend, Lena Bosch of Valdosta; and many special friends from the Fellowship Home. He was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Dasher.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the loving staff of the Fellowship Home and Hospice of South Georgia for the wonderful care provided to Mr. Dasher.
Graveside services and interment will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery at 3pm on Saturday with Mr. Buddy LaHood officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 N. Patterson St., Valdosta, Ga 31601 or Hospice of South Georgia, P.O. Box 1727, Valdosta, GA 31603. Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the Dasher family. Condolences may be made online at www.mclanecares.com.


Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602

Visitation:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602