James "Jim" E. Brown

James E Brown, Grafton, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Bridgeport Healthcare Center. He was born September 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 WV and Jim worked in Grafton at Harman Construction. Another tunnel project at Big Walker Mountain took them to VA, where they had their first child, Adrienne. A quick eleven months later they found themselves back in north central WV, 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 WV, 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, Fairmont, James E Brown II and wife Kelly, Grafton, and embraced daughter Duretha Mayle and husband Rob, 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 on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 1:00PM until 6:00PM and on Sunday March 3, 2024 from 11:00AM until 1:00PM the hour of the funeral with Pastor Lynn Cartwright and Pastor Matt Dotson officiating. Interment will follow at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.bartlettfuneralhomewv.com Bartlett Funeral Home is honored to serve the Brown family.

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