Thomas Josiah McNemar
A member of “The Greatest Generation”, Thomas Josiah McNemar, passed away August 6, 2015. He was born August 26, 1922 in Anmoore, WV, youngest son of the late Grover “Bode” and Minnie Carson McNemar. On January 29, 1946, he married the love of his life, Shirley Winifred Cunningham, in Mt. Clare, WV; she passed away January 8, 2014 shortly before their 68th wedding anniversary.
Left to grieve his passing are his five children; Barbara Weaver of Bridgeport, WV; Jane Anderson of Durham, NC; Thomas [Donna] McNemar of Clarksburg, WV; Terry [Kathy] McNemar, Stonewood, WV; and Twila Cunningham of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by grandchildren: Todd [Kathey] Anderson, Erin [Kevin] Anderson Brock, Molly McNemar Feldman, Mady McNemar and great granddaughter, Lilly Feldman. Also surviving are several brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved siblings: James Coy McNemar, Mary Harvey, Edna Kirkpatrick and Edith Smith.
Tom was a proud graduate of the Bridgeport High School class of 1941, and he often gave credit to his siblings who saw that he had what he needed to stay in school. One of his great joys was meeting with his class mates every year.
In 1942, he joined the U. S. Army and served with A Battery anti-aircraft battalion in the South Pacific, Lehte Theater, the Philippines and Okinawa, Japan. He was on Lehte when General McArthur arrived and made his speech, “As promised, I have returned to the Philippines” speech just sixty yards from his gun. By that time, the U. S. had already secured the Battaan, Wake, Midway, and Iwo Jima.
Returning to Clarksburg after the war, he worked with several companies but the majority of his career was spent as service manager with the WellsLee Coca-Cola Bottling Company and American Vending. He retired finally at the age of 75, but continued through the years to share good memories of his time with the Lee and Shaffer families.
He was an avid Nascar and Jeff Gordon fan. He once played golf but in his latter years, he cheered on his favorite, Tiger Woods. A staunch patriot and Democrat to the very end, he loved his country and prayed daily for an end to war and suffering.
The family is grateful to the VAMCs in Clarksburg, WV and Pittsburgh, PA for the incredible care given to Tom over the years, with special thanks to Dr. George Shehl, Dr. Jain and nurse Cathy Ross. He also received excellent care through Central West Virginia Aging, most recently by Debbie Pearcy and Alice Davis.
Family and friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport, on Sunday, August 9 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 10 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Ronald James presiding. Interment will be in Floral Hills Cemetery in Quiet Dell.