Harvey Dallas Church

Retired Virginia State Police Master Trooper Harvey Dallas Church passed away on Friday, November 8, 2024, at his home in Abingdon, VA. He was born in Winston Salem, NC on March 9, 1943, and was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Washington Church and Edith Harris Church.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Haga Church; daughter, Angela Church Edwards and husband, Joe Edwards, Richmond, VA; and son, Russell Dallas Church and wife, Lorrie Dean Church, Summerfield, NC. He is also survived by his sisters, Carol Henderson and Tina Goodman, Marion, VA; sister-in-law, Sue Routh, Novato, CA and his five fabulous and amazing grandchildren – Alexandra Church, Sarasota, FL, Jacob Edwards, Alexandria, VA, Harrison Church, Wilmington, NC, Megan Edwards, Blacksburg, VA and Emma Church, Tuscaloosa, AL. He is also survived by a nephew and several nieces.

Dallas was a proud graduate of Marion Senior High School, class of ‘62 where he excelled in football and baseball.

He joined the Virginia State Police on September 1, 1964, and served in Henry County, Buchanan County, Wythe County, Washington County and Richmond before retiring on July 1, 1996. After 32 years he ended his career as a Master Trooper with the Motor Carrier Safety Division. He loved being a State Trooper and cherished the camaraderie with his fellow co-workers and the lasting friendships forged during his career.

He was a Charter Member of the Virginia State Police Association and a member of the Board of Directors from 1982-1996. He served as the Seventh VSPA President from 1992-1996. He loved meeting fellow State Police members from all over the country and traveled extensively attending statewide conferences during this period.

After his retirement, he worked an additional ten years for the U. S. Marshall Service in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond and the Federal Courthouse in Abingdon.

Dallas loved to travel. One of his proudest achievements was visiting all fifty states, most of the National Parks, and several European countries with his wife, Carolyn. Each grandchild was treated to a special “Dream Trip” when they were twelve years old, and those trips were some of the most magical of his journeys.

Dallas loved to play golf and was a long-time member of the Glenrochie Country Club. He enjoyed walks on his beloved Creeper Trail, enjoyed a glass of good scotch, dancing, good food, and more than anything, spending time with his family. 

Special thanks to his wonderful caregivers Cierra Orr, Maria Hash, Cheyenne Hamby and Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, 807 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA, on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Elise Anderson officiating.  Honors will be provided by the Virginia State Police Honor Guard. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, to honor Dallas’ memory, memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia State Police Association, Support Our Troopers Foundation, 6944 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225, or online at foundation.vspa.org.