Wardal Michael Medley, MGYSGT US Marines (RET.), 83, of Newark, Delaware.

Obituary

Wardal M. Medley, affectionately known as Michael was born, Wednesday, May 19, 1937, in Accokeek, Maryland, to the late Frederick T. Medley, Sr. and Cora A. (Munson) Medley.

Michael attended public schools in Prince George's County, Maryland, and graduated from Fairmont Heights High School in 1955.   After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Serving in the Marine Corps presented many opportunities for growth and travel outside of Maryland.

There were many unique and beautiful facets in Michael's life that his family, friends, and others were blessed and privileged to have known.

While stationed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Michael married a widow, Ann Marie Gibbs on August 23, 1969, at Our Mother of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia.   He and Marie were devoted parents to Kenneth and Sharon Gibbs.

Michael proudly served his country for twenty years.  During his distinguished military career, he was stationed throughout the United States, Japan, and the Philippines.   In 1976, while stationed in California, he retired as a Master Gunnery Sargent, the highest rank that can be earned as an enlisted individual in the Marine Corps.

In 1986, Michael received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton Campus.

Michael applied his business savvy, as well as his military and life experiences, as an entrepreneur and owner of a bicycle and lawnmower shop. He was also an analyst for the Taco Bell Corporation and Microsemi Corporation in Southern California.   While living in California, Michael was an active member of the Orange County, California National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Upon retiring from the Microsemi Corporation and living more than twenty-five years in California, Michael and his lovely wife, Marie, relocated to Newark, Delaware.   Retirement presented new opportunities for him.   He was engaged in his community as a member of the American Legion, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), as well as a donor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).  Always a champion for the underserved, Michael used various platforms (e.g., newspapers, etc.) as his voice for national and local causes that helped in advancing community development and improvement initiatives.

Always ambitious and innovative, Michael wrote " More Than a Memory" which was published in 2009.   This book can currently be found on Amazon.   The book will take you on a wonderful and often peculiar journey that happened to him during a significant growth period of the twentieth century.  It will inspire readers to remember certain aspects of their own lives.

During his retirement, Michael and Marie shared a passion for traveling, spending time with family and friends, creating many memorable family holiday gatherings, and doting over their two grandsons, Michael and William.

Although Michael's earthly journey came to a close on Friday, November 20 ^th , he leaves behind a legacy of love and wonderful memories.  This devoted man of God leaves to cherish his memory a son, Kenneth M. Gibbs (Patricia), daughter, Sharon Gibbs Cooper (Anthony "Tony"), grandsons, Michael Benjamin Cooper and William Drain Cooper II, sisters, Shirley Singleton (Clyde), Gloria Milstead (Winston), Joyce M. Brown, Carolyn M. Bracey, and Doris E. Medley, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a host of beloved family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ann Marie, his four brothers Frederick, Jr., James, Alvin, and Jasper, and sister Mary Paschal.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640.

Mass of Christian Burial, 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Piscataway Catholic Church, 13401 Piscataway Road, Clinton, MD 20735.  Interment, Church Cemetery.