West Virginia State Firemen's Association

BEATY, John N. II, New Martinsville, WV, formerly of Paden City, WV, passed away at W.V. Veterans Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, WV on February 16, 2012.

He was born in Fairmont, WV on October 28, 1931. son of the late John and Sarah Nichols Beaty. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School, St. Mary’s, WV, Class of 1950. He retired from Cytec Industries, Willow Island, WV, after 42 years of service.

He was a former Member of Paden City Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church. Upon moving to New Martinsville, became a member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a Paden City Council member serving several terms and served as Paden City Special Policeman for 16 years. He was one of the original member of the Paden City Emergency Ambulance Squad. He was a lifetime member of the Paden City Volunteer Fire Company with over 40 years of active service. He was a social member of the New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department. He was a lifetime member of the West Virginia State Firemen’s Association where he served as their President for two terms and Executive Secretary for 27 years. He served over 27 years as West Virginia Director for the National Volunteer Fire Council, attending meetings in 38 states and Washington, D.C. He attended Federation of the World Volunteer Firefighters’ Association meetings in Seattle, Washington and at the United Nations in New York City. He was a member of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen Association. He received several Distinguished Awards for his Fire Service Activities. He was a former WV State Fire Commissioner. He was a member of the VFW Post 6327 in Sistersville, American Legion Post 86 in Paden City and Moose Lodge 931 in New Martinsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, John Newton III and Richard Boyd. He is survived by his wife, Naomi Erlewine Beaty, who he married in 1960, sons Patrick (Lisa), Concord, NC, Paul (Lisa), St. Marys, WV, daughter-in law Cathy Beaty of Concord, NC, daughter-in- law LouAnn Beaty (Dave) Anderson, New Martinsville, WV, and brother Harry (Polly) of Grafton, WV, and grandchildren, Joshua (Michelle), Bridgett, Patrick, Sarah (Randy), Michael, Tyler, Hunter, Rikid, Cody, Nicholas, Jonathon, Robert and Justen and three great-granddaughters Kendra, Jessica, Layla and great-grandsons (twins) Kolton and Kaiden.

He donated his body to West Virginia University (The Human Gift Registry) with a Memorial Service planned for a later date. Donations may be made to donors choice.

Messages of synpathy may be made to the family at www.jarvisfuneralhomes.com.

Zachary Taylor “Zach” Whitacre, 21, of Gore, VA, died on Monday, February 13, 2012 at Winchester Medical Center in the line of duty as result of a traffic accident.

Zach was born on November 13, 1990 in Winchester, VA. He was a Volunteer Firefighter for Gore Vol. Fire & Rescue, Company 14 in Gore, VA and 2009 graduate of James Wood High School.

Surviving are his parents: Donald A. “Duck” Whitacre, Jr. and step-mother: Donna of Gore, VA; his mother: Diane Anderson Holmes and step-father: James of Stephen City, VA; one sister: Cheyenne Holmes of Stephens City, VA; he was raised by his paternal grandparents: Donald A. Whitacre, Sr. and Sue H. Whitacre of Gore, VA; maternal grandparents: Norman and Pansy Anderson of Gore, VA; one step-brother: Justin Rudolph of Gore, VA and one step-sister: Victoria Rudolph.

A funeral service will be held at the Winchester Church of God in Winchester, VA on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 1:00 PM. Officiating will be Pastor Kent Woodward. Interment will be private in Ebenezer Cemetery near Gore, VA.

Family will receive friends at the Giffin Funeral Home in Capon Bridge, WV on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 12-3 and 6-9 PM. Friends may call on Saturday at the Winchester Church of God two hours prior to service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gore Vol. Fire & Rescue, PO Box 146, Gore, VA 22637.

This is a preparation alert. Between now and Monday, we may request
that all available personnel show up at the Capitol to help get this
bill passed, without amendments, in the Senate.

For those available on Monday 2/13/2012, please be prepared to rush to
Charleston for assistance on HB 4107, pertaining to training and
Legislative oversight of training. We will need an “all hands on deck”
response from all available firefighters throughout the State. For
those available and willing, prepare to take days off of work,
vacation days, etc. This bill is this important.

Will are also initiating an email campaign to all Senators regarding
these issues and HB 4107 showing our support. There’s misinformation
being spread by those against this bill and we need to set the record
straight. The correct information will be sent out by the WVSFA over
the weekend. Please copy/paste and/or send out your version of our
mailing to your Senators after you receive it from the WVSFA.

More info to follow over the weekend, including some very shocking
quotes from so-called “leaders” within the fire service.

Thanks and have a safe day!

/john

Photo by John Holstein

State Capitol – West Virginia State Auditor Glenn Gainer III was on hand during Firefighter Day at the West Virginia State Capitol Complex to personally hand-deliver several worker’s compensation reimbursement checks to several departments in the State. Capt. Chasity Gregory of the Alum Creek Volunteer Fire Department was on hand to accept the check for her department. Auditor Gainer stated “…there’s still approximately three and half million of the 5 million million dollars acquired during last year’s Legislative session. We still have many departments left to reimburse and we’ll need to acquire funding in the future.”

Through the help of the Auditor’s office, a streamlined process has been developed to receive, enter and return reimbursements in an efficient manner. Mr. Gainer stated that their office attempts to get each and every reimbursement check out within 24 hours of initial receipt.

It is with much sorrow that we express our heartfelt condolences to the friends, family and the fire service family on the passing of our friend, John Wayne Hughes. A staunch supporter of the fire service in West Virginia, J.W. was always a presence at fire schools, conventions and where ever a group of firefighters would gather. He will truly be missed.