Harley Thomas Potter,

Harley Thomas Potter, born Sept. 9, 1921, in Three Churches of West Virginia and passed Friday, July 1, 2016, at his residence.

Is of Protestant faith – an active member of Ebenezer Methodist Church, Romney, until 1940, when he moved to Hills Dairy Farm on Leetown Road in Kearneysville, with his parents, Mordecai R. Potter and Ethel J. McDonald Potter. He then became an active member of Grace Reformed UCC in Kearneysville, holding various offices from 1946 until his death.

He went to elementary school and the first two years of high school in Romney. Then attended Charles Town High School until drafted into the U.S. Army in his senior year,1942, at which time he was also working for the York Orchard Company, Kearneysville, under the supervision of the late Mr. L. V. Stuckey. At this time he met his wife, Virginia M. Markley Potter.

He took basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Louisiana Maneuvers, then to California on Mohave Desert Maneuvers. While out there, he and Virginia were married in Kingman, Arizona, on Oct. 16, 1943.

While in the Army, he served in World War II in the European Theater from Normandy Beach through to the fall of Berlin.

After coming home, he went to work for Potomac Construction Company, building the Kings Daughters Hospital in Martinsburg. Then he moved at Transmell Hollis Chevrolet and Oldsmobile Car Dealership in Martinsburg. From there he went to work at the West Virginia University Experiment Farm at Kearneysville, for 12 to 13 years for the late Edwin Gould. He left there and went to work for Fuss and DeHaven I.H. Farm Machinery Dealer in Shepherdstown. Then he went in business for himself managing a Sinclair Service Station in Martinsburg, for approximately 18 months. After that he went to work at Powhatan Brass and Iron Works in Charles Town as a tool maker for four years. Finally, in 1965 he went to work at Mack Trucks in Hagerstown, Maryland, from which he retired in 1986. In the midst of these jobs, he also became manager and eventually partners in Potter’s Gulf and Grocery, Kearneysville, between the years of 1971 to 1979.

After retiring from Mack Trucks, he went to work part time as a delivery truck driver for Tri-State Pallet Company, Kearneysville, which later moved to Bunker Hill, until 1993. He also continued to do some farming on the side.

In 2000, Harley returned to work part time at the West Virginia University Experiment Farm as custodian. On Dec. 31, 2012, he retired for his final time at age 91. Although he planned for this to be his final retirement, Harley still aimed to stay active both in the community and at home.

He was a member of the American Legion, Post 0200, Charles Town, and the Loyal Order of Moose, Post 120, Martinsburg, as well as a former member of the Knights of Pythians, which he went through all the chairs of that organization.

He was president of the Kearneysville Residents Association and an active member of the Monday Night Men’s Prayer group for many years.

He served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 4, 1942, to Dec. 8, 1945, where he received several awards including President’s citation; Five battle stars; good conduct medal; expert marksman; driver mechanic badge with driver bars; notorious unit award; American theatre ribbon; expert carbine ribbon; European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon; WWII Victory Ribbon; and truck driver light 345.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Markley Potter; two sons, Paul Eugene Potter and Roger Potter and wife, Libby; four daughters, Linda Brooks and husband, John, Karen Crowl and husband, Mike, Patricia Knighten and husband, Brently “Jay,” and Vickie Breitenberg and husband, William; seven grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Thelma May; and special friend, Karen Mills.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Iris Chrisman.

Funeral service were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, at Grace Reformed United Church of Christ Kearneys-ville, with the Rev. David Beeson and the Rev. Keith Snow officiating. Military graveside service were conducted in Pleasant View Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or Hospice of the Panhandle.

Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.