Colonel James McVey Compton

View Funeral Webcast Colonel James McVey Compton, 91, a resident of Sterling, Virginia, died on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in Leesburg, Virginia. Jim lived in Arlington, Virginia from 1977 to 1996 and was a founding member of Falcons Landing where he has lived from 1996 to present. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at Rose Hill Cemetery, 219 Cemetery Ave., Columbia, TN 38401 with Reverend Tommy Vann officiating. Military honors will be provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 and Taps provided by Ken Cathey A memorial service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held at Falcons Landing in Sterling, Virginia, in June of 2023. Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements. He was born Wednesday, June 17, 1931 in St. Louis, Missouri to the late Henry McVey Compton and Helen Smith Compton former residents of Columbia. He graduated from Washington University with a BA in Chemistry in 1952 and Shippensburg State College with a MA in Public Administration in 1975. Jim served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1978 with tours in Okinawa, Korea, Germany and Vietnam. He attended the Army Command College, General Staff College and the Army War College and retired as a Colonel, Artillery on July 31, 1978. During his time in service he was awarded several medals and decorations including the Legion of Merit (2); Air Medal (2); Army Commendation; National Defense Service; and the Vietnam Service. After his retirement from the Army, he continued his service at the Pentagon for the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1979-1993 and received the Civilian Meritorious Award (2). He retired as Assistant Deputy under the Secretary of Defense for International Programs in November 1993. On January 26, 2009, he married Carol Turner Compton who preceded him in death on January 8, 2016. He was a member of Sterling United Methodist Church in Sterling, Virginia and The Sons of the American Revolution. Survivors include his step daughter, Margaret Turner Beatty; step sons, Jeffrey Clayton Turner and Robert Paul Turner; and many beloved relatives including his first cousins William Smith, Robert Smith, Beth Duncan, Patricia McClanahan, Lavinia Gossett, Cindy Jarnigan, Ed Cook, Joe Cook, Stan Lanford, Alice Parcell, Clayton Compton, Estelle Quisenberry, and Stephen Compton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Falcons Landing Benevolent Fund, 20522 Falcons Landing Circle, Sterling, Virginia 20165.