In the early morning hours of Monday, June 15, 2020, the ornery, funny, charismatic, hard-working soul of James Dale Booher, a lifelong resident of the Little Flint Community, West Union, joined his wife, Irene Virginia Patterson, whom he took as his bride on January 16, 1952, to his home on God’s celestial shores. Jim and Irene were married on January 16, 1952 after Irene won his heart by sending pieces of pie to the steel mill with her brother to give to her Jimmy.
Jim was born on November 23, 1930, in Doddridge County, West Virginia to the late William G. and Lena Prunty Booher. Jim is survived by children, Bill Booher, Virginia “Sis” Kuhn (Chuck), Kathie Bonnell (Tim), Willard Booher (Myra), Ilena Thomas (Jamie), Anita Whitehair, and Dustin Booher (Kaitlynne) and grandchildren, T.J. Bonnell (Crystal), Bill Doak, Jr. (Polly), Kara Smith (Derik), Haley Clark (Jason), Isaac Whitehair (Olivia), Logan Thomas (Kimbree), Eli Whitehair, Mariana Soliz and Paislee Booher. He is also survived by great grandchildren, Parker and Palmer Bonnell, Loretta and Sara Doak, Marlena Clark, step—great-granddaughters Natasha Cox and Leona Burge and was awaiting the birth of new baby boys Booher and Thomas. Jim is also survived by his brother, Emery and sisters, Bonnie, June, Carolyn, and Peggy Sue. He was preceded in death by daughter Gina Soliz, grandson J.D. Doak, brothers Denzil and Dean and sisters, Stella, Vonda and Etta Mae.
Jim was a veteran of the US Army serving his country during the Korean conflict. Upon his honorable discharge from the military Jim secured employment at the Republic Steel in Warren Ohio where he was a welder and retired at the age of 55 after 30 years of service in the steel mill. Jim enjoyed his hobby farm, which Irene and his children kept afloat while he worked away, coming home only on weekends. Jim often practiced being a veterinarian by doctoring the farm animals, a mechanic by keeping the farm equipment running, a carpenter by building barns and buildings and a horticulturist which was evidenced by his plentiful garden and the many flowers, trees and bushes that Jim tended on his farm. Jim was his grandchildren’s favorite playmate and “Don’t tell your mom” was his favorite slogan. It wasn’t uncommon to come home and have a garden already planted for you while his grandkids would tell you grandpa and I planted Hershey bars today. His eyes would twinkle with glee as his grandchildren found small Hershey bars “growing” on
what suspiciously looked like cabbage plants. In his later years Jim could often be found sitting in his chair watching cowboy movies while sipping a cold beverage from a blue and silver can. Jim’s hard work ethic and orneriness can be seen in each of his grandchildren. He will be missed by all.
Due to the uncertainty of the COVID 19 virus, a memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. McCullough-Rogers Funeral Home in Pennsboro, WV is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mcculloughraiguel.com