James E. Brown, of Grafton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at the Bridgeport Healthcare Center. He was born Sept. 6, 1939, in New Castle, Pa., and grew up in Clarksburg where he was an alter server and member of the Boys Choir at the Episcopal church, held a paper route for many years, and was a member of the Scouts. A 1957 graduate of Washington Irving High School, he then attended West Virginia University, obtaining a bachelor of science and master of science in civil engineering.
Upon graduation, he began his long career in construction working for CJ Langenfelder Co. on the Wheeling Tunnel Project. During his time in Wheeling, he married high school sweetheart Pamela Wolfe, and the two moved on to Indiana, Pa., for another project. They then returned to West Virginia and Jim worked in Grafton at Harman Construction. Another tunnel project at Big Walker Mountain took them to Virginia, where they had their first child, Adrienne. A quick eleven months later they found themselves back in north central West Virginia, their son, James II, was born, and Jim began work on the construction of the Harrison Power Station. In 1974, he was employed by GA Brown & Son, Inc., in Fairmont, and it was there that he stayed for the remainder of his career, eventually purchasing that company in 1990.
Jim was a registered Professional Engineer and registered Professional Land Surveyor. He served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitrators Association for more than 30 years, was a trustee for the Carpenters Health Fund of West Virginia, was past president and on the Board of Directors of the
Construction Employers Association, and member and past President of the Contractors Association of West Virginia. He served many years on the Taylor County Fair Board and was a long- time member of the Elks and most recently the VFW.
He was preceded in death by his mother, R. Virginia McNemar in 2002; and his wife, Pamela W. Brown in November 2022.
He is survived by his children. Adrienne Kunce and husband Mark of Fairmont, James E Brown II and wife Kelly of Grafton; and embraced daughter, Duretha Mayle and husband Rob of Grafton; seven grandchildren, Brendan Kunce, Brighton Kunce, Claiborne Kunce, Mallory Brown, Averey Brown, Nick Mayle (Danielle), Andriana Kiddy (Gabe); and two great-grandchildren, Jaxon Mayle and Lilah Mayle.
Family and friends will be received at Bartlett Funeral Home, 202 McGraw Ave., Grafton, from 1-6 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, and on Sunday, March 3, 2 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the hour of the funeral with Pastor Lynn Cartwright and Pastor Matt Dotson officiating. Interment will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Brown family.
Condolences:
www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com
