James P. "Puck" Painter

James Pershing "Puck" Painter, of Oak Hill died peacefully at home, Thursday, November 25, 2004. Born August 3, 1917, in a log cabin in Taylor Hollow at Plum Orchard. He was the son the late James Charles Painter and the late Emma Margaret Taylor Painter. Puck was an honor graduate of Oak Hill High School. He was the second Eagle Scout in Oak Hill. At 18, he joined the 150th Infantry, COA of the WV National Guard. He graduated from WVU with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. While at WVU, he was a member of the rifle team, the first drill team and the "Scabbard and Blade," a national military honorary. He remained a proud supporter of the Mountaineers the rest of his life. Puck was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant assigned to the 47th Armored Infantry of the 5th Armored Division, attached to Patton's 3rd Army. Lt. Painter received the Purple Heart fro wounds received during the battle for Bergstein, Germany, December 5, 1944. He also was awarded the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge for heroism. Puck retired as Assistant of All State Operations ofthe Department of Employment Security Personnel Association. Puck was named a "Distinguished West Virginian," received the "Cross of Honor Medal" from the United Daughters of the conederacy and was appointed as a "West Virginia Ambassador of Good Will." He was a Mason in Lodge #120 AF & AM, Oak Hill, a Shriner Beni Kedem Temple of Charleston and the Fayette County Shrine Club. Puck served his community in various capacities. He was a member of the American Legion and was pastcomander of Post 3110 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. During his 50 years in the Oak Hill Lions Club he served as past president and received the prestigious "Leonard Jarrett Lion's Award." He served on both the Oak Hill Planning and xoning Committee and the Fayete County Planning Commission for over 50 years. Puck was an amateur photographer who won many awards locally and at the Georgia State Fair. He loved hunting and fishing. Puck was a faithful member of the Oak Hill United Methodist church where he served the Lord in various capacities. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Charles T. Painter and his sister, Hortense Painter Belding. Survivors left to cherish his memory are his college sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Edna Mae Jamison Painter; a daughter, Patricia J. Painter of Macon, GA; a son, Michael J. Painter and wife, Karen of Maxwelton, WV; three grandchildren, Dr. Melissa (Eric) Smith, Nikki (David) Smith, and Michael J. Painter, Jr.; 4 great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert F. Painter and wife, Dottie of Oak Hill and William Kerr Painter; and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate his life will be 2:00 PM Monday, November 29, 2004 at Tyree Funeral Home Chapel in Oak Hill with Rev. Dr. John R. Sauvage officiating. Burial will follow at Highlawn Memorial Park with military rites conducted by VFW Post #3110, Oak Hill and masonic rites performed by Oak Hill Lodge #120 AF & AM, Oak Hill. Friends may gather with the family from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday at Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill.