Norman (Ike) Vandeveer

Norman (Ike) Vandeveer, age 94, passed away after a brief illness in Kingsport, TN on November 24, 2017. He was born in Newport News, VA and was a machinist with Amoco Oil Refinery in Yorktown, VA. In his retirement, he and his wife, Margaret, who passed away last year developed a successful wood crafting business and frequented local craft shows with a dedicated customer base.
Fresh water, peace and quiet drew Ike and Margaret to Lake Gaston over 50 years ago where they spent many vacations camping at Tommy Tucker's Campground before purchasing their property in Pineview Subdivision. In 1980, they retired to the lake where they had spent most of their vacationing and weekend life. There they began serving their community by helping to establish the Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department where the original building has been named in their honor. They were ardent supporters of the RWVFD, giving of their time and energy to assure continued funding through donations and the yard sales that became extremely popular in the community. Ike's greatest joy was organizing these yard sales as well as serving as the chairman of fund raising. They were so fortunate to spend 30+ years of retirement on the lake that they loved until their need for medical care increased in 2012 and ultimately requiring them to be closer to family.
Dad's favorite past times were spending time with his family, boating, fishing and restoring antique engines. He proudly served as captain and senior officer of his pontoon boat where he spent many hours with his family. The only cruise they were interested in were sunset cruises enjoying the beauty of the lake where they never tired of riding the shoreline. As their daughter, I miss those special times! Rarely did an evening go by that Dad wasn't trying to catch his next citation fish off the end of his pier as Mom sat watching. One of his prize catches that he had mounted has now been passed on to his great-grandson, Jake, who spent time fishing with his Mogo, affectionately named by the oldest great grandson, Tyler.
He is survived by his children, Brenda Moore and husband Jim of Kingsport, TN; Mike Vandeveer and wife Michele of Smithfield, VA; and Kenny Vandeveer and wife Kris of Floyd, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Chris Moore and wife Kelly; Jason Moore and wife Lindsay; Olivia Schmincke and husband Matt, Erica Vandeveer and Maggie Vandeveer; and seven great-grandchildren.
Our family offers sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at the Kingsport Brookdale Assisted Living for the loving care they provided for our Dad & Mom for over 5 years. Words aren't enough to express our appreciation.
A family graveside service will be held at a later date. The family requests that in honor of Ike's dedication to building the RWVFD charitable donations be made in his name to Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, 790 Lizard Creek Rd., Littleton, NC 27850.