Vernie Stamper, Jr.

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Vernie “Butch” Stamper, Jr. climbed into his 1963 Chevy 2 with “Hair of the Dog” by Nazareth, playing loud, and took his final 1/8th mile pass to the big track in the sky; releasing his ‘chute before entering the pearly gates. Known as our local Jukebox Hero, Butch was born to the late Vernie “V.M.” McCoy Stamper, Sr. and Shirley Louise Smith in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 24, 1960. 

Butch loved drag racing, riding side by sides with his wife, sons, and many friends, woodworking, and spending precious time taking Sunday drives with his family. He was an avid WVU, Pittsburgh Steelers, and lifelong Boston Celtics fan. Butch never met a stranger, and that earned him the title of “Mr. Atmosphere” in his years at Annie’s Sports Pub, where he met several friends that are now considered family. 

Butch was a loyal employee at K & K Music of Bluefield for over 40 years; learning all the mechanics of entertainment machinery from his favorite mentor, Jimmy Knowles, Sr.  Butch dedicated his life to his family; giving them every opportunity and experience possible. He was a friend and father figure to many. He met many friends that became family in his years with K&K Music, Annie’s Sports Pub, Stateline Getaway, and Big Daddy’s. 

Butch held many titles in his 63 years of life, but his favorites were Husband, Dad, and Papaw. He shared a love of drag racing, beach going, trail riding, and loving life with his soulmate “Re”.  He bonded with classic rock music and Jeeps with his daughter Danielle.  His passion for drag racing was picked up in full force by his son Corey who made a career from his love of racing. He loved having conversations with his daughter in law, Angie. But, nothing could compare to the way his granddaughter Jovi lit up his life. 

Butch was preceded in death by his father, Vernie McCoy Stamper, Sr., brothers Mark Allen Stamper and Jeffrey Wayne Stamper, father in law, Ernest Szakacs, Sr., mother in law, Maria Vigh Szakacs, best friend, Eric Doby, grandparents, and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Butch will be forever missed and celebrated by his loving wife, Anna Marie “Re” Stamper, of the home; daughter Danielle Lea Heath and wife Angie, of Kokomo, Indiana; son Corey Steven Stamper, of the home; mother Shirley Louise Stamper, of Brushfork; granddaughter and namesake, Jovi Elainna McCoy Heath, of Kokomo, Indiana; brother in law Ernest Szakacs, of Bluefield, Virginia; sister in law Beth Ann Stamper of Rutherfordton, North Carolina; niece Jill Szakacs of Princeton, West Virginia; niece Daphne Spencer and husband Steve (Andy and Jillian) of Princeton, West Virginia; niece Jennifer Hagerman (Ean and Jack) of Bluefield, Virginia; nephew Joshua Szakacs of Princeton, West Virginia; niece Kayla Stamper and family of Bluefield, WV; great niece Taylor Morgan Booher and husband Greg (Micah and Wrenley) of Abington, Virginia; best furry daughter, Lucy Blu, of the home; several special lifetime friends. 

Honoring Butch’s wishes, he will be cremated. A celebration of Butch’s life will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at a later date. The family would like to thank Cravens Shires Funeral Home and Michael Linkous, for their kindness during this extremely hard time . 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation from the heart be made to the GoFundMe account that has been set up in Butch’s honor. Cashapp and Venmo links are also available for those who wish to use those instead.