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Obituaries
Linwood Bradford Regan
Linwood Bradford Regan, 90, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2022. Linwood was born October 26, 1932, in Chadburn, NC. He was a resident of Williamsburg.
Linwood moved from Richmond, VA to a farm in Meredithville, VA while he was a teenager. His neighbors and family would pitch in and help each other during the harvest, which is where he met his future wife, Helen Sadie Wootten, and her mother, Callie Lillie Wootten. Linwood married Helen after several years of courtship on May 1, 1954. He enjoyed a very close marriage with his wife for over 68 years.
Linwood joined the army around 1958 and was sent to attend training at Fort Gordon, GA. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Army where he worked as Military Police. Linwood worked in the law enforcement field for the rest of his career. He joined the Virginia State Troopers, Badge # 637, after being honorably discharged from the Army. Linwood had many stories including his patrolling Route 1, as well as some high-speed maneuvers with colleagues.
He left the State Troopers and joined the US Marshall Service around 1968. Linwood often traveled the country escorting prisoners from location to location. His brother, Everett assisted him in one case where they were both separated by automatic subway door closure in New York City, one was with the prisoner while the other was left on the subway platform with mouth hanging open.
Linwood left Richmond around 1970 and moved the family to Poquoson, VA when he joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) where he worked until his retirement in 1980.
Linwood worked in the automotive industry before joining the Army. He was always busy with one project and on to another, usually several projects at the same time. Linwood loved working on and restoring cars in his garage. He was a jack of all trades and a graduate of The School of Hard Knocks. Linwood was a talented artist, creating beautiful paintings, charcoals, and sketches. Linwood had a great eye for art and architecture in the designing of his home and multiple home projects. He created a beautiful rose garden for him and his wife to enjoy for years. Linwood loved his hummingbirds and was always looking for his “Scout” around April 15th, calling family as soon as he saw it.
He always had a story to tell and embellish whether it was a story of “pulling a finger”, or the bootleggers shooting at them during a raid. Linwood was always the epitome of Southern Hospitality, the consummate host, whenever anyone would come to visit. He would repeatedly ask what visitors would like to eat or drink, usually emptying the refrigerator all over the counters. Linwood was always a gentleman, always carrying two handkerchiefs because he said he needed one and you never knew when a woman might need one to wipe away any tears.
He enjoyed his bourbon and passed that love of a “5 o Clock” on to his grandsons. Linwood always faced every challenge, health or otherwise, head-on, the only question being, “Okay, what do I need to do to fix it?”
He was preceded by his parents, Leola Carter Regan, and James Hugh Regan; siblings, James Hugh Regan Jr., Larence Everett, Montgomery John, and Frank Hoyt.
Linwood is survived by his wife, Helen Wootten Regan; daughter, Deanna R. Jenkins and husband Daniel Edward Jenkins of Williamsburg, VA; son, Linwood Keith Regan, wife Karen Liles Regan of Grafton, VA, Bradford Scott Regan of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Alama Delores Hardy; brother, Shelby Gene; granddaughter, Katelyn Renee Jenkins with partner Ned Pollard of Baltimore, MD; grandsons, Brian Seth and fiancée Kaylor Ann Walace of Nashville, TN, Eric Daniel Jenkins and partner Erin of Raleigh, NC, Dylan Scott Jenkins and partner Karyn of Williamsburg, VA; and great-grandson, Keith’s grandson, Isaac Townes Linwood Regan and his mother Missy Barron of Bryan, TX.
The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, January 6, 2023, with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to plant a tree with American Forestry using the link: https://support.nationalforests.org/give/351518/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=WEB&c_src2=TRP0000WEBTPLinkSidebar , or contributions to PAWS for a Cause using the link: https://www.pawswithacause.org/
Arrangements are being handled by Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
5 Comments
A true hero
I never met the man, but the obituary totally reminds me of his son, Keith. It sounds as if he had a very interesting life. I know I would have enjoyed meeting him and listening to his stories because the first time I met Keith I feel like I had known him a long time. So sorry for your loss.
Loved Helen and Lin from the first time I met them many years ago. I was about 15 and they took me under their wing. Lin was one of the good “ones”. Rest in peace my friend and love to Helen and the children.
Dearest Kim and Family,
I will always remember spending time at your home in Poquoson. I always felt like a part of your family, never a guest. Your Dad was always so kind to me and I loved talking to him. We would talk about current events and he would tell me I was “well read”, which always made me feel special. I remember all the great roasts he would cook and the homemade ice cream. I will always remember him. He was the father I always wish everyone could have. God bless you all during this difficult time.
I worked with Lin for many years at ATF. A true southern gentleman. I used to joke with Lin that he reminded me of Merle Haggard. He still does. Rip my friend.