Letcher Ryan "Dude" Western, Jr., 79, husband of Sue (Craun) Western, of Knightly Mill Road in Fort Defiance, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Augusta Health in Fishersville, Virginia.

Mr. Western was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia on March 11, 1945, son of the late Letcher Ryan Western, Sr. and Ann Betty (Smith) Western.

Mr. Western was a member of the Middle River Church of the Brethren and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of the Staunton VFW Post 2216 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 3 in Salem, Virginia. "Dude" was a lifetime farmer and was taught to butcher at the young age of 10 years old. He enjoyed riding horses, he had a very strong work ethic and never met a stranger.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Western was preceded in death by a daughter, Jodi Western; a son-in-law, J.R. Stanley; a brother, Charles David Western; and a sister, Betty (Western) Miller.

Surviving in addition to his wife of fifty-seven years, are two daughters, Marsha (Western) Harris and her husband Rodney of Greenville; Autumn Western of Fort Defiance; a brother, John Noon Western of Keswick, Virginia; two granddaughters, Katy Stanley and Emma Farrar; and an expected great grandson, Cyrus.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Celebration of life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2025 in the Middle River Church of the Brethren by Rev. Steve Bird and Rev. Eddie Hooke.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Dave Thornton, Tommy Thornton, Buck Thornton, Jeff Ward, Keith Wampler, David Wampler, Michael Smiley and Rodney Harris.

Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Michael, Michael Hartsook, Vicky Parkenson, Areseli Marquez, Danielle McPherson, Daphnie Rosson, Kayla Burroughs, Montana Breeden and Bev Winegard.

It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to the Augusta County 4-H and FFA Market Animal Show, P.O. Box 2841, Staunton, VA  24402.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.