John P. “Phil” Strider

John P. “Phil” Strider, 85 a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, of Shenandoah Junction, died Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Elmcroft of Martinsburg.

He was born March 18, 1930 in Leetown. He was the son of James W. Strider and Carrie Lee (Gardner) Strider.

Mr. Strider retired after twenty-six years of service with the U.S. Navy as a flight engineer. After his retirement he worked at QED of Williamsburg, Virginia. and Navair in Norfolk, Virginia.

He was a member of St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church, Leetown.

He graduated from Charles Town High School, class of 1948.

He was a lifetime member of Jackson-Perks American Legion Post 71, Charles Town, a lifetime member of VFW Memorial Post 3522, Charles Town and a lifetime member of Fleet Reserve Association.

Mr. Strider was the first American to step out of a plane (The Que Sera Sera) on to the South Pole during operation Deep freeze II in 1956.

He served in the U.S. Navy during Korea.

He is survived by his son, John P. Strider, II and wife Cheryl , Shenandoah Junction, daughter, Cathy L. Nikel, Chesapeake, Virginia.; five grandchildren, Carrie Strider, Caitlin Strider Degenfelder and husband Adam, Ericka Strider, Allison Strider and Devin Nikel; one great-grandchild, Richard Mason Polk; nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma H. Strider who passed away on November 23, 2007; sisters, Alice S. Glenn, Carrie Lee Lynn and Georgette Coyner; brothers, James W. Strider, Frank Gardner Strider, Robert E.L. “Duber” Strider and Isaac Henry Strider.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Charles Town.

Please sign the online guestbook and view his obituary at www.mtstrider.com

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.

Dear Pops, You’re Sweet and We Love You.