Ronald Cochran Everhart, 82, of Morgantown, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. He was born July 1, 1938, in Fairmont, the son of the late John and Helen Cochran Everhart. In addition, he was preceded in death by his uncle that raised him, Walter Cochran.
In 1957, Ronald graduated from Fairmont Senior High School, lettering in basketball and track. He chose to play basketball and run track at Fairmont State College, where he was a four-year letterman in both sports. He played basketball at Fairmont State from 1957-1961 for coach Paul C. “Pi” Davis. During his career, he broke Fairmont State College’s basketball scoring and rebounding records and held the Fairmont State high jump record for twenty years. A member of the TKE Fraternity, he worked in the FSC cafeteria and ground maintenance crews for four years in order to supplement his sports scholarships. Ronald was just recently nominated into the Fairmont State University Athletic Hall of Fame. He will be inducted in October of this year.
Ronald graduated from Fairmont State College (University) in 1961 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and physical education. He received his Master of Arts Degree in education (secondary school administration) from West Virginia University in 1967.
From 1961-1968, he taught and coached basketball at Fairmont Junior High School where he had seven undefeated seasons. The following year, 1969, He became the head coach at East Park Jr. High School before taking the position of adult education area supervisor of 16 counties in central and north central West Virginia. Then, in 1980, he evolved to director of adult and community education services for Marion County, from which he retired at an early age in 1987.
As Director, he introduced the Literacy Volunteers Program to the area. Together with WVU, he brought in a foreign exchange program with the adult teachers from other countries including South Africa and many South American countries. He implemented re-training classes and programs for out of work adults who lost jobs through area factory and mine closings and provided GED testing services and centers throughout the NCWV region. Ronald was also responsible for introducing basic adult classes to nursing homes, providing teachers of basic education classes and providing journaling and recording memoirs of seniors.
Ronald brought Adult Education Learning Centers out of the VO-TEC centers, making them available to city and rural residents in Mannington, Rural Senior Centers, domestic violence and homeless shelters. This afforded adults the opportunity to study for the GED, ACT/SAT tests, ASFAB and civil service tests, English as a second language classes, college and LPN prep classes and reading classes through Literacy Volunteers, all provided free of charge by skilled professionals.
He was a member of the MCEA, NEA, WVEA, IIABO and WV Arts and Human Resources Council, bringing together businesses in the area and coordinating partnerships with adult programs.
For many years after college, Ron played summer league basketball for R&W Cable, whose teams coached by Frank Washenitz consistently won the league and the prestigious Sistersville, Ohio tournament. The roster included players, Bucky Bolyard, Ron Retton, Don Vincent and Bobby Joe Smith.
Ron was a member of IIABO and officiated Big Ten and Mason Dixon High School basketball games for nearly ten years.
Ronald is survived by his wife, his brother, Raemond “Skip” Everhart, and his 4 children.
On April 8, 1961, he married his college sweetheart, Aida Jean Mainella. They have four sons, Ronald Cochran Everhart Jr. and his wife Mirchana, Eric Scott Everhart, Kevin Walter Everhart and his fiancé Diana and Robert David Everhart and his wife Lora; seven grandchildren, Ronald James, Gianna Jade, Angela and her husband Roberto, Eric Scott Jr., Anamaria Concetta, Kevin Anthony and Gabriella Elizabeth; and three great-grandchildren, Aria Rose, Noah and Aubrianna Lee.
He was the greatest, most patient husband and the most generous and talented father. He coached, taught and trained his four sons, as each were awarded full four-year college basketball scholarships. We lost a legend. Through his sons and their children, his legacy lives on.
At the family’s request, due to COVID-19, there will be no formal viewing or funeral. There will be a celebration of Ron’s life at a later date.
In lieu of flowers you may send donations to the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute to support Movement Disorders Fund (For Parkinson’s Research) in the name of Ronald C. Everhart to WVU Foundation, PO Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507 or at https://give.wvu.edu/wvumedicine-rni (Go to Movement Disorder Funds).
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
