CommUNITY pastor steps away – almost 40 years after serious head injury Gene Marrano July 9, 2025 1 minute read Thomas McCracken Facebook photo An accident that happened in 1988 on board a Coast Guard cutter has led to the painful decision from a local, prominent pastor to step away from the church he helped found two decades ago. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: Share: Post navigation Previous: Carilion still fundraising to build expanded cancer center in RoanokeNext: “Munters 2” breaks ground in Botetourt Related Stories Not everyone in the Roanoke Valley and southwest Virginia jumped on the American Patriot bandwagon early during the Revolution Gene Marrano June 22, 2026 Data Centers are here to stay; proponent says localities need to get on board Gene Marrano June 22, 2026 Orvis to relocate Roanoke operations, retaining 60 jobs Ian Price June 22, 2026