Noel Almagro Vandiver

Noel Almagro Vandiver, 82, of Smithfield, VA passed away peacefully on August 18, 2023 at home with his daughter, Karen Vandiver Thombley. Noel was born on February 21, 1941 to John Lafayette Vandiver and Alma Noel Vandiver in Greeneville, TN. After graduating high school, he attended University of Georgia, Emory University in Atlanta and Emory at Oxford. 

 

Before completing his final semester, Noel had to return home to take over the family dairy business. He later went to work for DeLaval, a leading dairy equipment and solutions company. There, he began building state-of-the art dairy barns all around the eastern U.S. After many years of work travel, he began Vandiver Inc., a general contracting business. Noel was a lifelong adventurer and “renaissance man”. His musical talents of singing and playing piano, as well as an expansive knowledge of many subjects made him a favorite among all his family members and peers. He was an avid reader, pilot and sailor. The love of all these things helped shape the full lives of himself and his children. 

 

Noel was predeceased by his father and mother and brothers, Marshall and Lloyd Vandiver. Noel is survived by his daughter Karen (Nick) Thombley of Smithfield, VA, son Patrick (Dee) Vandiver of Ft. Worth, TX, son Sidney (Michaelynn) Vandiver of Dominical, Costa Rica, daughter Sylvia Jean Vandiver (Steve Tuckwab) of Crandon, WI, son Noel Vandiver Jr. (Dora McGeshick) of Crandon, WI, stepdaughter Crystal Richardson of Round Lake Beach, IL, adopted daughter Maddie (Will) Rampley of Kingston, GA; grandchildren, Martel Jackson, Fayetteville, AR, Tavarus Jackson of Los Angeles, CA, Dennis Larry (Devin Wolfe) of Hampton, VA, Madison Vandiver of Key Largo, FL, Kaiya Vandiver of Dominical, Costa Rica, Noel A. Petonquot lll of Rhinelander, WI, Kingston Olds, Kiyonne McGeeshick, and Kayden Mericle of Crandon, WI, and Sara and Jeremiah Rampley of Kingston, GA; great-grandchildren, Hudson Jackson of Fayetteville, AR, and Elana Kai Larry-More of Hampton, VA, and a host of others that affectionately called him “Dad” throughout a life that always had an “open door” for anyone needing a helping hand.   

 

A small, private graveside service will be held at TNT Ranch on August 24, 2023. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations may be made to Vandiver Ministries International at https://vm.international/give-1 . Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com