Victor G. Fulkerson

FREEVILLE - Victor G. Fulkerson, age 93, of 1812 Peruville Road, Freeville, NY, passed away Friday, July 6, 2018, at Hospicare. Victor was born June 29, 1925, in West Dryden and attended Dryden Central High School.

He was predeceased by his parents, Victor S. Fulkerson and Nellie Gibson Fulkerson and his beloved wife of 60 years, Eloise M. Hazen. Victor was the last of his siblings to pass as he was predeceased by his four sisters and brothers-in-law, Maybelle (Francis) Shepard, Eleanor M. (Karl Frank) Hinger, Ruth Victoria (Leonard) Lasky and Loie Esther (Harry) Hagen. Vic was also recently predeceased in June by his son-in-law, Frank Clyde ("Tim") Prugh, III of Freeville; and previously by his brother-in-law, James Hulslander of Dryden and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Harold R. "Bud" (Beatrice) Hazen of Phoenix.

Survivors include his daughter, Sandra L. Prugh, at home; his son, Ronald (Gert) Fulkerson of Wellsburg; his sister-in-law, Rosemary Hulslander of Dryden; grandchildren, Cassie M. Prugh of Albany, Frank Cyle (Kristin) Prugh of Groton, Nicole Fulkerson and Dirck Fulkerson of DuBois, PA; his great-grandchild Violet Eloise Prugh; nieces, nephews and cousins. Also surviving is his niece and her family who have been special in Vic's life, Rosalie (William, III) Finnerty of Dryden and their children and grandchildren.

A veteran of World War II, in September 1943, Victor joined the United States Marine Corps, during which time he was trained at Parris Island, SC, Camp Lejeune, NC, and Camp Elliot, CA. He was assigned to the 41st Replacement Battalion and was deployed to the Pacific Theater. There the Replacement Battalion joined the 1st Marine Division on Pavuvu in the Russell Islands and Victor was assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion. From there he would be deployed first to Peleliu on September 15, 1944, and then to Okinawa on April 1, 1945, where he was wounded on May 10, 1945. At the time, he was only one of seven men of the original platoon not injured or killed.

On August 1945, as Private First Class, Victor was presented with the Purple Heart Medal for his military service at the US Naval Hospital in Fort Eustis, VA. On September 21, 1945, Victor went on leave for the first time in two years, during which he married his loving wife Eloise M. Hazen in Ithaca on October 6, 1945.

Promoted to Corporal, Victor was Honorably Discharged on December 4, 1945 at Yorktown, VA after serving 27 months, 16 months of that time overseas. Afterwards, Victor worked with four other local World War II veterans at the Harry A. Strong Farm Implement Dealer in Groton. After the Korean War broke out in June 1950, Victor joined the 10th Marine Tank Battalion in Syracuse. The Battalion moved to Camp Pendleton, expecting to be deployed. Victor, promoted to Sergeant, worked in the Motor Pool and was unfortunately injured again in August 1951. He was placed in inactive reserve on September 17, 1951 and was again Honorably Discharged on March 4, 1959.

Upon his return home in 1951, Victor began working for Consolidated Natural Gas Co. (now Dominion). He retired after 36 years in 1987, but remained on as a consultant for the company an additional 3 years. His work at the gas company moved Victor and his family from Utica, NY to Lawrenceville and Renovo, PA., prior to his and Eloise's return to the Freeville in 1990's.

Victor will be remembered for his vivid and entertaining story-telling going as far back as the "days on the farm" in Freeville. He was a long time fan of baseball from coaching Cyle's Babe Ruth team with his son-in-law Tim, to equally loving and cursing his New York Yankees. Victor is also known for his love of machinery from boats to snowmobiles to "the Deer" for mowing and plowing and the "Green Machine" to the "Gator" for just about anything. Vic was a collector and builder of guns, and enjoyed shooting target, especially at Phil Franklin's shop. Those closest to Victor know his devotion to his four-legged friends from his Doberman Justin, to his later in life companions, German Shorthaired Pointers, Hildie and Kia (thanks to his "girls" Judy Ziegler and Laura Knowles). Victor was also an avid builder in his retirement, building picture frames, furniture, and yes, poker tables for his friends and family. Vic was a "card shark" with the best of them from Kings in the corner to Texas Hold'em.

The calling hours will be from 1 to 2 PM, Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, New York. Rev. Chris Xenakis will officiate at a 2 PM funeral service the same day immediately following calling hours. Burial will follow in Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden with Military Honors provided by members of the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home Ritual Team.

Those wishing to remember Victor are asked to consider a memorial to Hospicare, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY. His family is very grateful to the staff that gave him such peaceful and excellent care during his stay there.