Albert Eugene Damron

Albert Eugene (Gene) Damron, 85, was claimed by the Lord early Monday, June 27th in Roanoke, VA. His long productive life started October 31, 1925 in Big Branch, KY as the oldest son of Lon and Virgie (Large) Damron. Gene had four siblings the late Pauline Schiewe and Kareul B. Damron; Lois Hightower Hanley of Tualatin, OR and Robert B. Damron of Cody, WY. After graduating from Hellier High School in Kentucky, he continued his studies at West Virginia Institute of Technology. On July 2, 1953, he married the love of his life, Joline Hope Coleman of War, WV. Jo and Gene lived in Welch, WV for 51 years before moving to Bluefield, WV in 2004. Their oldest son, Gene Patrick (Pat) Damron lives in Bluefield, VA and their daughter Jane Damron Harrison and her husband Michael reside in Orlando, FL. Gene loved his six grandchildren (Kelly, Joanna, Carter, Aron, Rebecca & Adrienne) and three great-grandchildren (Madison, Taylor & Evette). Gene’s second passion was coal. His deep technical knowledge of the industry and a 42 year career with US Steel gave him the opportunity to manage the 2nd largest coal mine in America (Gary No. 2) as General Maintenance Foreman and then Superintendent of Maintenance Training before retiring in 1986. Gene was an ordained deacon in the First Baptist Church of Welch and past president of the Brown’s Creek Booster Club, Welch Kiwanis Club and the Tug Twirlers Square Dance Club. He also served his community as the FEMA Coordinator for southern West Virginia and as a volunteer with the International Red Cross for 15 years. “Our mountain of a man is gone, but his strength and wisdom lives within us all.” Funeral services will be held at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 1:00 pm with Pastor Alan Ashworth officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, West Virginia. Friends and family may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, West Virginia on Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 12:00 p.m. (Noon) until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Damron family.