John W. Pyles, 89, of Morgantown passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at home, with his loving wife by his side along with his faithful poodle companion, Sammie.
He was born Jan. 28, 1933, in Flemington, the son of the late Melford and Lucy (Scarcella) Pyles. The family moved to Morgantown in 1939 when he was in the second grade.
John was a 1950 graduate of Morgantown High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education in 1955, and his master’s in education with a minor in political science in 1960, both from WVU.
In 1969 he met Charlotte Winebrenner, who was a RN, attending West Virginia University in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree in nursing. They married on March 7, 1970, in Ridgeley.
From an early age, John loved to sing. Seneca Grade School had an auditorium and excellent music program. He was a soloist in most of the school musicals. Throughout junior high and high school, he continued to sing at assemblies. The high school band always performed at the Metropolitan Theater and John sang with the band at their spring concert in 1950. In 1952, John had the lead role in the operetta “The Red Mill.”
At WVU, John played trombone in the WVU Marching Band. In 1954, the band traveled to the Sugar Bowl and played in the half-time show, one of many fond memories of his time in the WVU band.
Starting in 1955, he taught instrumental music for 15 years in Monongalia County Schools, developing band programs in Sabraton and Westover Junior High Schools and directing the Clay Battelle High School Band and the Suncrest Junior High School Band. John was proud of the fact that five of his former students, whom he started on band instruments, later became public school band directors.
In 1958, John had a live radio program on WCLG where he sang popular standards and show tunes. He later released a CD containing many of the songs from his program.
In 1959 he went to New York and auditioned for the Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts. Godfrey went off the air a few months later, before John could perform. He also performed with the Vincent Lopez Orchestra at the Hotel Taft on Times Square, which was broadcast nationally on the Mutual Radio Network. John also sang with the Billy Graham Crusade Choir in 1959 at Madison Square Garden.
John was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, where he was church soloist and youth choir director for many years. He also directed the First Baptist Church adult and youth choirs.
John sang for four U.S. presidents; Kennedy, Johnson, Carter and Clinton, two vice presidents and several congressman, including Joe Biden, when he was a U.S. Senator. John sang for more than 400 weddings, funerals, patriotic ceremonies and other special events.
John was always interested in politics. After working on the John F. Kennedy presidential campaign in 1960, he was inspired to run for the State House of Delegates in 1962. He served two terms in the House of Delegates, while still continuing to teach music.
In 1966 he ran for the State Senate against the senate majority leader and was narrowly defeated. This was his only loss in 21 primary and general elections.
Elected in 1968, John served for 20 years as the Monongalia County assessor. As assessor, he led the state-wide campaign that led to the passage of the Homestead Exemption Amendment. He retired in 1989, but re-entered politics in 1990 when he ran and was elected as Monongalia County commissioner, where he served for 18 years. During his political career, he won more elections than anyone in the history of Monongalia County.
With his love for musical arts, John obtained funding through former Congressman Alan Mollohan to purchase the shuttered Metropolitan Theater in 1990 and begin renovations of the historical grand theater. He and his wife, Charlotte, raised more than $70,000 to place a statue of Morgantown native Don Knotts in front of the theater.
John received many awards including Most Outstanding Assessor in West Virginia, presented by the International Association of Assessor Officers in 1978. In 1980, he received the Distinguished Community Service Award presented by the Morgantown Jaycees. In 1983, he received the National Nathan Hale Award by the Reserved Officers Association for community service to Veterans, and he was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Celebration of American Committee. He also received a 25 year United Way service award in 1987. He was Main Street Morgantown Public Official of the Year in 2001.
John served on numerous boards of directors in service to the citizens of Monongalia County, including: Scotts Run Settlement House, Senior Monongalians, Greater Morgantown Tourist Information Bureau, Metropolitan Theater Preservation Foundation, Morgantown Vision (2000), Committee on Transportation and Highways, Monongalia County Adult Day Care Project, Morgantown Historical Walk Project and Monongalia Arts Council.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Charlotte Pyles; daughter, Deanna Hanna and husband Drew; his brother, Rodney Pyles, wife Carol and their daughter Janessa Pyles, all of Morgantown; nephews, Dr. John (Gail) Moran, of Indiana, and Robert (Jane) Moran, of New York; niece, Julie Moran, of Massachusetts; brother and sister-in-law, Irvin and Suzan Winebrenner, of Maryland; nephews, Michael (Jennifer) Winebrenner, of Maryland, and Greg (Heather) Winebrenner, of Virginia; niece, Rebeca Aiken, of Maryland; and two sister and brothers-in-law in Virginia, as well as many special great-nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, whom he loved very much.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Melford and Lucy; infant sister, Billie Dove; sister, Pauline and husband John Moran; and nephew, William Moran.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Amedisys Hospice Staff. Special thanks to Melissa, Molly, Sarah, Rachel, Pastor Rich and special aides.
Visitation will be held at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home, from 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 3 and again at Wesley United Methodist Church, from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. on Monday, with the Rev. Martha Ognibene officiating. Honoring John’s wishes, he will be cremated following the services.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Your Community Foundation of North Central WV Inc. earmarked for the Don Knotts Legacy Fund, the Metropolitan Theater or the Wesley United Methodist Church.
Condolences:
www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
