Howard G. James

Howard G. James, the son of Robert James, Jr, and Bertha Dodson James, was born May 3, 1940 at home in Millville, West Virginia.

A graduate of Harpers Ferry High School. Howard was the captain of the football team back when teams members wore buckskin caps and not helmets. Howard often shared his memories of Harpers Ferry vs. Charles town football games.

He received his teaching degree at Shepherd College and then went on to receive his masters from Shippensburg University, Howard taught Biology, Human Physiology and Earth Science at Musselman High School for close to 40 years. He received the covenant West Virginia biology teacher of the year in 1974. He was the first teacher in the state to advocate for greenhouses in the schools. The greenhouse that stands at the old Musselman High School was the first greenhouse place at a high school in the state of West Virginia.

Howard was the owner of James Taxidermy Studio. He offered thousands of customers his taxidermy services throughout the tri-state area. His incredible, creative, and superior Taxidermy work won him a game room full of trophies and awards given by the state of West Virginia. His work went on to be world renowned. At the world competition Howard won top awards in small game, fish and deer heads.

A avid bow hunter, he arranged many hunting trips for his friends and colleagues throughout the United States and Canada.

Howard is survived by his wife Betty Ann James of Shenandoah Junction, WV His Daughters and their families; Sonja James of Shepherdstown, WV, Malek and wife Hannah Bouzahar and Howard Bouzahar, Scarlett and Travis Hill of Naples Florida, Sienna and Aaron Ambrose of Alpine, California and their children: Aaron and his wife Jesenia, Cameron and Madison and her husband Jordan Myers. Step-daughters Melissa and husband Donald Hawkins and their son Donald “Donnie” Hawkins of Ranson, WV, the late Angelina Costello and her children Jaqueline, David Austin, Clara, Alan James “AJ” Pulse of Charles Town, WV and one Brother Robert James, wife Gail and their sons Patrick and Daniel.

Services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, WV with Pastor Joseph Burwell officiating.

Interment was in the Pleasant View Memory Gardens, Martinsburg, WV.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 321 Potomac Avenue, Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.mtstrider.com.