Gary Charles James

Gary Charles James, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, passed after a brief illness in Hospice of the Panhandle, surrounded by family on July 18, 2022.

Gary was born on June 29, 1933 in Cherry Run, Morgan County, West Virginia, to Paul Douglas James and Emoroy Kesecker James Hessler. Gary was a graduate of Shepherdstown High School and attended Shepherd College. He was raised by his Grandfather Theodore Charles James and Grandmother Cora Lavina Stropes James in Shepherdstown, along with his beloved Aunts; Geraldine James Maddex, Alice James Knott, and Blanche James Shipley. Charles and Emma Musser of Shepherdstown, became his adoptive parents.

As a young man Gary was interested in Drama and Radio, performing in college productions and deejaying a radio show regularly. Growing up in and around the Old Opera House in Shepherdstown, (belonging to his adoptive grandparents, Clifford S. and Ada Musser) doubtless led to his dramatic ambitions. He was also a sound technician, along with Charles Musser, for local, regional and national performers.

Gary began his career in the printing industry working at both the Independent and Shepherdstown Register newspapers. Setting up race track print shops up and down the East Coast for Hagerstown Bookbinding and Printing led to a position in management, then General Manager and Vice President of HBP for a number of years. In 1976, Gary founded Specialty Binding and Printing in Shepherdstown. In 1977, Gary added Specialty Books, in 1979 came Specialty Business Supplies, and in 1987 Gary purchased Rocky Marsh Pottery. In 1988 he helped create WB Lanham & Company, a catering business that was co-founded by his son Paul. Throughout his distinguished professional life he was known to one and all as a compassionate, generous man, always ready to lend a hand and lift someone up. He was a devoted Shepherdstonian, assisting members of the community in recording and publishing histories, cookbooks, sketchbooks and pamphlets about the historic town. Specialty Binding’s work with the National Park Service could be seen for decades in all our National Parks. In the late 80’s he received the Top Industry award from the Chamber of Commerce for his leadership and impact in Jefferson County. For many years, Specialty Binding was one of the top three employers in the county.

Gary and his wife Dorothy sold the business in 1991 and retired to Hilton Head, SC before eventually making their home in Laurel Ridge, Martinsburg.

Gary was an avid woodworker. He made many treasured items for family members through the years even after an accident damaged his eyesight. He loved billiards, always remarking that his skill was a result of a ‘misspent youth’. He was a gardener, gentleman farmer, and lover of the woods and natural world. His other great passion was reading. He was a keen reader of history, particularly the history of World War II and passed his love of reading and lifelong learning to his children. Gary was a devoted grandfather.

Preceding Gary in death were his parents, his adoptive parents, his stepfather Hanson Lee Hessler, and beloved sister Patricia Reynolds James. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Dorothy Clevenger Lister James. Gary is also survived by his first wife, Dianne James Chalfant along with his three children, Paul Douglas James II, Keron Elizabeth Psillas Oliveira, and Alice James Bowman. He had two grandchildren, Jessica Dianne Carroll and Ian Randall Starkey and wife Maria João Reis, along with one step-grandson, William Moncure Psillas.

Gary is also survived by stepsister Polly Hessler Blackstone and her daughter Jenna, brother-in-law E. Allen Clevenger and wife Candice Clevenger and their daughter Nikki Cavaleri.

Dottie’s three children and Gary’s stepchildren are Beth Lister Bittle and husband Khim, Dr. David Canon Lister and wife Terry Gerard, and Linda Diane Lister Witmer and husband Mark. Beth’s children are Kristopher Bittle and fiancé Emily Peeler, Kindra Roberson and husband Casey, along with their daughter Mikayla Jane, Kate Bittle and fiancé Henrique Matias. David’s children are Brandon Lister and wife Lauren Lister, and their children Cameron, Caisley, and Carlie; Dustin Lister and his wife Ashley Crochet Lister and their son Emerson Lister; Brittany Lister, and Lauren Lister. Linda’s children are Eric Witmer and his wife Allyson Lutz-Witmer, Meghan Witmer, and David Witmer.

The family is deeply grateful to a loving and supportive group of neighbors in Laurel Ridge, with special mentions of the Corey Dawson and Darren Sweeney Families.

There will be a Celebration of Life in Shepherdstown on October 11, from 7-9 p.m., at the Train Station in Shepherdstown (bottom of Main/German street at the tracks).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Martinsburg Children’s Home.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.brownfuneralhomes.com.