Dr. Michael Poprik, Jr., age 89, passed away peacefully athis home in Fayetteville, NC on November 19, 2014. He was born in Ford City, PA on June 20, 1925,to the late Michael Poprik, Sr. and Elizabeth (Pastyr) Poprik.

Upon graduation from high school in 1943, he enlisted in theUS Army Air Corps. Following basic training in Greensboro, NC and cadettraining in Elon, NC, he joined a B-29 crew based on Tinian Island in thePacific during World War II. As a gunner on the B-29, he flew 20 combatmissions over Japan, earning a number of commendations, including the Legion ofMerit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with two oak leafclusters. Dr. Poprik was the last surviving member of his B-29 crew.

After the war, he married Catherine Fay Allred ofBurlington, NC, whom he met while training as an Air Corps cadet. He attendedthe University of Pittsburgh and its Dental School, graduating with a DDSdegree in 1956.

Dr. Poprik joined the US Army Dental Corps, interned atWalter Reed Medical Center, and practiced dentistry for 29 years. He was selected to become a member of theOrder of Military Medical Merit. Duringhis military career, Dr. Poprik served at a number of bases within the UnitedStates, as well as completing tours in Korea, Japan, and Germany. He retired asa Colonel in 1984, and was a life member of Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternityand the Military Officers Association of America.

He was predeceased by his sister Anna Mikula (Leo).

He is survived by his wife of 66 years; by his children MichaelPoprik III (Maryclare), Richard Poprik, Catherine Kornegay, and Jeffrey Poprik (Karen). He was blessed with nine grandchildren:Leslie Capelli (BJ), Adrienne Hodges (Jamie), Michael Poprik IV (Kate), DavidPoprik (deceased), Ashley Poprik, Robert Kornegay, Jeffrey Kornegay, JosephKornegay, and Elizabeth Gilbert (Jeffery); and four great-grandchildren: OliviaHodges, Madeleine Hodges, Alexis Poprik, and Michael Poprik V, as well as numerousnieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Edward Poprik(Patricia). A devoted husband, father,and friend, Dr. Poprik is deeply mourned and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be held at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home inFayetteville from 6 pm to 8 pm on Monday, November 24. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held atSt. Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville on Tuesday, November 25. Pleasejoin the family at the Church at 10:45 am. A service will be held in Old Post Chapel, Ft Myer, Virginia on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 12:45pm, Interment with full military honorswill follow at Arlington National Cemetery.