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Sunday, September 11, 2011

Nitro High School Memories 60's WV

Dr. Robert E. Bricker passed into the arms of his Lord while at his St. Albans home on September 27, 2011. Born in Akron, Ohio on February 8, 1926, Bob moved to West Virginia at the age of 2, graduated from Nitro High School and resided and practiced dentistry in St. Albans for 56 years. After serving in World War II as a cryptographic technician, Bob attended West Virginia University, was a graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School and opened his dental practice in St. Albans. He served as past president of the West Virginia Dental Association, the West Virginia Academy of General Dentistry and the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, as well as numerous dental associations and societies. Through the AGD, he was honored to participate in the development of the national guidelines used in continuing education. His career led him down many paths, seeking knowledge and lecturing, including a trip to China with his son, Robert. Involved in the community, he was active in Rotary for many years and served as past president. Bob was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of St. Albans, enjoyed his Sunday school class and was known to make it particularly interesting at times. He enjoyed ice photography. Dentistry was his passion, but he loved to cook. Over the years, many were privileged to share an elegant meal prepared after much deliberation, reading and selecting just the right recipe from among his vast collection of cookbooks. We will remember Bob as a loving husband and father and a good friend to many, always eager to share a joke with a hearty laugh or a good story with friend or stranger. He touched the lives of many and left a lasting impression on each. Those preceding him in death include his parents, Paul T. and Louise Harris Bricker; and Helen Bricker, who passed away four days after Bob's birth. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Paulette Bricker; children, Virginia Bricker of Baltimore, Md,, Linda Bricker of Dunbar, Paul (Evelyn) Bricker of Scarbro, Sarah (Rick) Perry of Cincinnati, Ohio, Robert (Catherine) Bricker of Charlottesville, Va., and Dr. Andrea Bricker (Greg) Sullivan of Boston, Mass.; 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Random memories: Gerrie Thacker with his home brewed radio station. He ad-libbed, told jokes, and played music, and offered to repeat your name for an entire minute if you paid him a quarter.

Sandy Simmons...Why didn't I ever ask her for a date? She was one of the funniest, cutest, and personable young women in our class (1968). She probably would have refused, but I should have taken the chance anyway! I did take her home from school one time though, luxuriating in my '65 Volkswagen.

I did all my dating in St. Albans and Hurricane,never asking a Nitro girl for a date. Of course, my job at the St. Albans BBF opened many liasons, and having a motorcycle helped a lot too!

Lunch hour at Nitro High was always a kick...open campus....perhaps Ben Franklin's for a 20 cent hot dog, then Nitro News Stand to hang out, buy a pop, and play pinball machines. For a walk on the wild side, perhaps try to get a look at the latest Stag, or other men's magazines. Maybe some pipe tobacco or cigarettes to complete the adolescent joybomb.

An alternative was to hang with the firemen at Nitro Fire Department, or visit Kroger's across the street from the school.

It's too bad that today's high schools have a closed campus. Young people need the freedom and opportunity at self discipline that an open campus provides.

Just saying.....

Thursday, September 01, 2011

September 2011 Nitro High School WV, Updates, Obits, and Info

Jeffrey "Poochie" Magoun, 57, of Nitro passed away Wednesday, September 14, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House West, South Charleston, after a long illness. Poochie was a 1972 graduate of Nitro High School, a graduate of WVU with a degree in chemical engineering, and a former employee of Bayer Crop Science and Clearon. While in high school, he played football, basketball, and was a hurdler on the track team. He was a true blue and gold Mountaineer fan. Jeff is survived by three children, Joshua Magoun, Jeffrey Magoun Jr. and Jade Magoun, all of St. Albans; sisters, Nancy Magoun Risch of Nahant, Mass., Terri Magoun Tedesco of Troy, N.Y., and Melody "Dee Dee" Macoun McCormick of Nitro; stepmother Bobbie Magoun of Stephens City, Va.; stepbrothers, Tiny Arthur of Hurricane, Robin Arthur of San Diego, Calif., and Mike Hudson of Nitro; and stepsisters, Lanie Arthur of San Diego, Calif., and Patty Hudson of Nitro. He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Magoun, in 2010; and his mother, Delores Stallman, in 2007. A memorial service for Poochie will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, at Cooke Funeral Home Chapel, Nitro

William L. Cummings Jr., 38, of Nitro died at home on Sept. 8, 2011. He was employed by Lowe's of Nitro. He is survived by his son, William Blaine of Michigan; his father, Bill Cummings of Nitro; his sister, Tamra Cummings of St. Albans; and a host of family and friends.

Jeanie M. Workman Young, 77, of Nitro passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital following a short illness. She was employed for over 30 years at the Nitro Moose Lodge as a waitress. She was a member of the Women of The Moose, Nitro. Born February 11, 1934, she was the daughter of the late John C. Workman and Betsey Burd Workman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William E. Young Sr.; daughter, Joyce Jean Young Irick; and son, William E. Young Jr. Survivors include: son, Keith Young of California; brother, Clifford Workman of Columbus; grandchildren, David Byrd of Cross Lanes and Billy Young III of Florida; and great-grandchildren, Kourtney Byrd, Sebastian Young and William Young IV.

Peggy Henson Taylor, 60, of Cross Lanes, formerly of South Charleston, passed away Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Enid Henson of South Charleston; and sister, Jane Henson Strother of Cross Lanes. She is survived by husband, John Taylor of Cross Lanes; sons, James Taylor (Wendy) of Cross Lanes, and John Thomas Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pa.; niece, Ellen Strother of Cross Lanes; grandson, Thomas Taylor; and great-niece, Reagan Strother. She was active in numerous community organizations, including the American Diabetes Association, the Nitro High JROTC and football programs, Boy Scouts of America, and the Cross Lanes Junior Woman's Club. Friends and family knew Peggy for her selfless attitude and commitment to civil service. In keeping with this philosophy, Peggy elected to participate in the WV Human Gift Registry. While no formal viewing or funeral will be held, friends are invited to gather beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 17, at the First Presbyterian Church of Dunbar, 1414 Meyers Avenue, Dunbar.

Anna Lee Shamblin French, 57, of Nitro passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston, following a long illness. Born May 30, 1954, she was a daughter of Juanita Shamblin of Nitro and the late Grover Shamblin. Anna was a Christian and attended Cross Lanes Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday school class and the children were beloved by her. Anna was a mortgage loan officer for Poca Valley Bank. Survivors include two sons, Brian French and Brandon French, both of Cross Lanes; two brothers, Gary Shamblin of Hometown and Dale Shamblin of Nitro; two sisters, Kay Shamblin Casto of Cross Lanes and Vickie Shamblin and David Skyles of Nitro; and two grandchildren.

This is in loving memory of Paul Tincher, loving husband, father and grandfather, who passed away at home on Monday, Sept. 5, 2011. Paul was born May 4, 1929, and was a lifelong resident of Nitro, where he was a graduate of Nitro High School with the class of 1948. He was a retired teamster. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Herb and Faye Tincher; and his son, Shawn Tincher. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, JoAnn; daughter and her husband, Genie Tincher and John Scott of Nitro; sons, Jeff Tincher and Timmy Tincher of Rocky Fork; grandchildren, Jodee and Bobby Martin of Nitro, Jason Thomas of Cross Lanes, Amber Tincher of Charleston, Branden Tincher of Virginia and Ashley Tincher of Rocky Fork; great-grandchildren, Jeremy Martin, Luke Martin and Rosie Martin of Nitro; and his special dog, Fancy.

Connie L. Cooper Whittington, 98, of Nitro passed away Friday, September 2, 2011, at Thomas Memorial Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Nitro and member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Nitro and the Women's Society of Christian Service, the Kanawha Valley Medical Assistants Association, Nitro Women's Club and the Nitro Senior Citizens. Connie was a medical assistant for Dr. George Hogshead for over 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Whittington; sister, Nell Vera Cooper Gott; and her parents, Earle H. Cooper and Erma M. DeWolfe Cooper. Surviving are niece, Sue Ann Gott Null and her husband, Ed of Poca; nephew, James E. Gott and his wife, Judy of Alexandria, La.; three great-nieces, Missy Benoit, Meredith Tucker, and Casandra Null; one great-great-niece, Melanee Tucker; and two great-great-nephews, Lee Tucker and BJ Benoit.

Myrtle L. Adkins, 96, of Nitro passed away Sunday, August 28, 2011, after a short illness. Myrtle was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Nitro. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fran D. Adkins; sons David K. Adkins and Charles G. Adkins; and sister, Betholene F. Love. Surviving: sons, Clyde F. Adkins of Christiansburg, Va., and Frank D. Adkins of Nitro; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Violet Alexander of Connecticut and Lillian Wilson of South Carolina.

Megan Harrison: Searching for answers and their daughters killer, the family of a murdered Cross Lanes, WV, woman is speaking out. Ginger and Roger Harrison say they want to know what happened to their daughter Megan. The body of the 28 year old was found Saturday in the Elk River. While no motive or cause of death has been released, police are treating the death as a homicide. Rumors about Megan's checkered past and drug use have painted a picture of a young woman her parents say wasn't the real Megan. They say she was a kind hearted girl whose life changed because of drugs. The Harrisons' say Megan would have done anything for anybody and was a free spirit. They say Megan was staying at Sojourners after she stole from their home. They wanted her to get help and say although she had flaws they still loved her very much. Here is link to WCHS video/story http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/110831_6453.shtml

Here's a video re: Megan on News Report