Obituary for James Archie Ashcraft Sr.
James Archie Ashcraft, Sr. 81, of Wilsonburg, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility. He was born on January 14, 1938, in Wyatt, a son of the late Curtis Ray Ashcraft and Esta Eileen (Ashcraft) Ashcraft.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen L. Ratliff Ashcraft, who was his high school sweetheart, whom he married on February 5, 1959.
In addition to his wife he was also survived by two children, James A. Ashcraft, Jr. and his wife Claudia of Walled Lake, MI and Sheryl Lynn Jones and her husband Roger of Clarksburg; two grandchildren, Brittney Layne Jones and Whittney Lynn Jones and her companion Zach Harpold; two great- grandchildren, Jordan Wayne Cottrill and Brooke Lynne Cottrill; one brother, David Ray Ashcraft of Warren, OH; and one sister, Carol Sue Higgins and her husband Roger of Mannington.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one brother, Richard Allen Ashcraft.
James was a graduate of Mannington High School, Class of 1956, and then joined the Navy upon his graduation. He travelled the world, including 3 tours in Vietnam, and retired with 20 years of service after completing his recruiting duty in August of 1976 at his last duty station in New Philadelphia, OH. Following his service to our Nation, he was a service manager for Overnite Trucking, was employed with Dravo Doyle as a heavy equipment mechanic in Pleasant Valley, WV, and later as a roofing consultant for Mansfield in VA. Then he returned to his home workshop, where he spent many hours building things, repairing kids’ bikes, and he could make anything out of wood. For the last 10 years, and after Helen’s retirement, the couple took advantage of the warm weather and wintered at Tropic Winds in Harlingen, TX, where he enjoyed playing cards and pool with his many friends.
James was a member of AF & AM Masonic Lodge #177 in New Philadelphia, OH; the Operating Engineers Union Local 66 in Monroeville, PA; and the American Legion.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport on Wednesday from 2-8 pm, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Paul Boyles presiding. Interment will follow in West Virginia National Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen L. Ratliff Ashcraft, who was his high school sweetheart, whom he married on February 5, 1959.
In addition to his wife he was also survived by two children, James A. Ashcraft, Jr. and his wife Claudia of Walled Lake, MI and Sheryl Lynn Jones and her husband Roger of Clarksburg; two grandchildren, Brittney Layne Jones and Whittney Lynn Jones and her companion Zach Harpold; two great- grandchildren, Jordan Wayne Cottrill and Brooke Lynne Cottrill; one brother, David Ray Ashcraft of Warren, OH; and one sister, Carol Sue Higgins and her husband Roger of Mannington.
In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one brother, Richard Allen Ashcraft.
James was a graduate of Mannington High School, Class of 1956, and then joined the Navy upon his graduation. He travelled the world, including 3 tours in Vietnam, and retired with 20 years of service after completing his recruiting duty in August of 1976 at his last duty station in New Philadelphia, OH. Following his service to our Nation, he was a service manager for Overnite Trucking, was employed with Dravo Doyle as a heavy equipment mechanic in Pleasant Valley, WV, and later as a roofing consultant for Mansfield in VA. Then he returned to his home workshop, where he spent many hours building things, repairing kids’ bikes, and he could make anything out of wood. For the last 10 years, and after Helen’s retirement, the couple took advantage of the warm weather and wintered at Tropic Winds in Harlingen, TX, where he enjoyed playing cards and pool with his many friends.
James was a member of AF & AM Masonic Lodge #177 in New Philadelphia, OH; the Operating Engineers Union Local 66 in Monroeville, PA; and the American Legion.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Avenue, Bridgeport on Wednesday from 2-8 pm, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Paul Boyles presiding. Interment will follow in West Virginia National Cemetery with Military Funeral Honors.