J. Andrew James

J. Andrew James, of Martinsburg, departed this life Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, while residing at the West Virginia State Veterans Nursing Facility, in Clarksburg.

Born in Maple Shade, New Jersey, on Sept. 22, 1927, he was the son of the late Joe E. James and Mary Hollida James.

In the early 1930s, his family returned to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he attended Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown Junior College, as well as Shepherd College. During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving aboard the carrier, USS Leyte, CV 32, in R Division/Damage Control, fireman 1st class. Upon his discharge from the U.S. Navy, he managed family orchards in Hancock, Maryland, worked as a fruit broker for W. Scott James, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania and at the Hagerstown Dairy. Beginning in 1957, he acquired and operated James Orchards in the Swan Pond area, east of Martinsburg. In later years, he worked at the Grand Union store in Martinsburg and upon retirement, owned and operated an apartment rental business. He had also obtained his real estate license and worked for local real estate agencies.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa James Dirting and husband, Donald, of Hedgesville and Linda James Freeman and husband, William, of Swan Pond. Additionally, he is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Sylvia Parks James, formerly of Hagerstown and his second wife, Edna Minghini James, of Glengary. His sister, Mary “Molly” James Corydon, also preceded him in death.

Mr. James attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Shepherdstown; St. John’s Episcopal Church, in Hagerstown; and most recently, Independent Bible Church, in Martinsburg.

Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Brown Funeral Home, in Martinsburg. An interment service was conducted immediately following at the Rosedale Cemetery.

The family request donations be made in his memory to the Berkeley County Humane Society, 554 Charlestown Road, Martinsburg WV 25405, or The Residents Benefit Fund, WV State Veterans Nursing Facility, One Freedoms Way, Clarksburg, WV 26301.

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