James Franklin Shrader

James Franklin Shrader

James Franklin Shrader (Jim), 89, of Princeton, passed away Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Ridge Care Assisted Living in Princeton.

Jim was born March 21, 1935, at home on Shrader Hollow Road near Bramwell. He was the youngest of ten and last surviving child of the late Isaiah Welch and Flora Belle Shrader. He graduated from Bramwell High School in 1954 and was the only member of his family to attend college. He worked at A&P in Bluefield to pay for his education, first at Bluefield University and then Concord University, where he graduated in 1958 with an education degree. He later earned a master’s degree in school administration from Radford University. He spent his career with Mercer County Schools, first at Princeton Junior High School and then at Bramwell High School, where he taught English, science, and math courses. He left teaching in 1970 to become math, science, and computers supervisor for Mercer County Schools until his retirement in 1989. Following retirement, he taught psychology courses for the West Virginia Graduate College for several years.

He owned his own ceramics business for several years and earned a national ceramics certification. He distinguished his business by ensuring that no two of his pieces were alike.

Jim was a member of Bramwell United Methodist Church for 70 years, where he served as Treasurer for 30 years. He led by example: everyone knew his faith, but he was respectful of others and differing viewpoints.

His wife of 59 years, Mary Bowman Shrader and his son and son-in-law, Russell Bowman Shrader and Joseph Lewis Comer, III, of Roanoke, VA, cherish his memory. Jim also leaves behind five nieces: Debbie Scurlock and Vickie Lickliter of Beckley; Joan Ullery of Mercersburg, PA; Denise Meletakos of Silver Spring, MD; Cathy Yost of Peterstown. A special first cousin, Bruce Shrader of Arlington, VA, also survives.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, July 29, at 2pm at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with Rev. Jay VanReenen officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1pm-2pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bramwell United Methodist Church, PO Box 306, Bramwell, WV 24715. Online condolences may be shared at cravens-shires.com.