James “Silky” Sullivan, 72, died Sunday, April 30, 2017, following a brief illness.
Having grown up in Fairlea, WV, Silky graduated from Greenbrier High School in Ronceverte, WV, in 1962. He went on to attend WV Tech, where he loved playing basketball. He later joined the U.S. Marine Corps and then married Carol Castle, establishing residence in Fayetteville, WV.
Silky made his career at Gauley Sales in Hico, WV. His passions included the Fayetteville Pirates, WV Tech, the Marine Corps, the Mountaineers, the Boston Celtics, the New York Yankees, pulling for Dale Earnhardt Sr., and coaching his kids’ basketball and baseball teams. In recent years, he spent his retirement driving his beloved Volkswagen convertible, reading the newspaper, and enjoying the company of his bride. Silky always enjoyed a good laugh, ensuring everyone he met became a friend, and received an inappropriate nickname.
Left to mourn are his wife, Carol; brother, Patrick, of Fairlea; sons, Roger, of Lewisburg, WV, and Shane of Lorton, VA; daughter-in-law, Rhonda; and grandchildren, Ryan and Kate.
He was predeceased by his parents, Virginia and Charlie; and siblings, Doris, Charles Curtis, and Ann Johnson.
On Saturday, May 6, 2017, a viewing will be held from 11 AM-12 PM, and a brief service from 12-12:30 PM will occur in Fayetteville at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home, 350 W. Maple Avenue, Fayetteville.
Interment service will take place at 3 PM at Riverview Cemetery in Ronceverte in the Sullivan Family Section.
In lieu of flowers, call someone you love and tell them so.
For those wishing to express their condolences to the Sullivan family, visit www.doddpaynehessfuneral home.com.
Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary originally published in the May 4, 2017, edition of The West Virginia Daily News.
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