John Emery Pyles, of Westover, was born Aug. 2, 1934. He peacefully went home to be with Jesus early Wednesday morning Jan. 22, 2020 at age 85. John married the love of his life Vonda “Bonnie” Lemley. They were inseparable from the time they met, and defined the term “love-birds” during their 66 years of marriage. John was the son of Lee Roy and Anna Mae Pyles. He was born in Belle Vernon, Pa., and served our country faithfully in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
John was the quintessential family man; he loved his wife, four daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren unconditionally. His daughters are Beverly Pyles, Debbie Patton, Patty Rabagia and Karen Davis. They were the apple of his eye. He equally loved the Lord and came to faith in Jesus along with his wife, Bonnie, early in their married lives. They were truly transformed by their faith in Christ and were the epitome of authentic Christians. As a couple they followed the Lord and his two greatest commandments exceptionally well: to “Love God and love people”.
John was an electrician by trade and was well-respected for his skills, work ethic and natural leadership ability. John worked many years for Barnes and Brass, an electrical contractor out of Clarksburg. He ended his career by helping build the WVU Hospital and then becoming a facility manager there. His leadership and heart for the Lord impacted the lives of many people.
John was the ultimate people person, never meeting a stranger and making everyone feel like they were special. Whether it was a grocery store, restaurant, or hardware store, he made friends wherever he went. His smile, sense of humor, and tender-heart will be missed by many.
John is survived by his loving wife, Vonda “Bonnie” Pyles (Lemley); his three daughters, Debbie (Mark) Patton, Patty (Mick) Rabagia and Karen (Steve) Davis; seven grandchildren, Stephen (Heidi) Patton, Megan (Zach) Wesseling, Loriann (Colin) Foster, Jennifer (Robbie) Guzik, Brittany (Jason) Hicks, Ethan Davis and Ashley (Tommy) O’Neil; and 12 great-grandchildren. John is also survived by three sisters, Verna Frisco, Alice Boyer and Roberta Choss. John was preceded in death by his daughter Beverly, his parents Anna Mae and Lee Roy Pyles and his brothers Edward and Lee Roy.
John leaves an amazing legacy. He loved Jesus and it showed in how he lived his life. All who knew him were impacted by his sense of humor, pranks like the infamous Easter egg and whip cream battles, kind words of encouragement, and his big hugs with a hard back pat; but most of all by his love. Many of us were discipled by him, taught to water ski, drive and clean a car, haggle the store keeper and wire a home. I doubt there has ever been a man who loved to shop with his girls more than John. John was always the most charming man in the room, but he always made everyone feel loved and like they were the most special person in the room.
Visitation will be at Christian & Missionary Alliance Church from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, with service following. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to WVU Children’s Hospital.
