James Lewis Ferrell

On April 5, 2019, James Lewis Ferrell departed this life and went to meet his Maker. Born April 20, 1937, he was a lifelong resident of Logan, WV, with a short stint, during his boyhood, on a family farm in Milton, WV. He was a member of the last class to graduate from “Old Logan High” in 1955. He attended Marshall College and was a member of the US Army Reserve from 1958 through 1964. In 1957, Jim returned home to help “grow” Ferrell Excavating, a business started by his father in 1932. In 1963, he and his brothers purchased the company, which serviced the coalfields and communities of southern West Virginia and surrounding areas. Through the years, they invested in other businesses, including Logan Concrete, Madison Ready Mix, Cardinal Concrete and Badger Lumber. Later in his career, Jim operated the sandstone rock quarry in Melville. He loved working and operating heavy equipment; he was known as one of the best dragline and excavator operators in the region. His stories of working never failed to include the beautiful sunsets he witnessed on the job site or the animals he encountered in the wild. He was always heavily aware of God’s hand and the beauty he found in his surroundings. Jim married Mary Beth White (Ferrell) in 1959 and had two children, James Lewis Ferrell, II and Elizabeth Jane Ferrell Gillette, both of Logan. He was a wonderful father who loved his family and took great joy in providing for them. He attended First Christian Church of Logan while rearing his family, where he was an Elder and active member of the Men’s Fellowship group. In later years, he attended First Presbyterian Church. He was lovingly addressed as “Pa” and “Poppy” by his 3 grandchildren: James Lewis Ferrell, III (Jamie) of Charleston, Sarah Allison Ferrell of Logan and Maryellen Rose (Rosey) Gillette of Logan. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney William Ferrell and Shirley Pack Ferrell. He leaves behind his siblings, Wanda Edwards of Huntington, Vernon P. Ferrell (wife, Jean) of Logan, Charles N. Ferrell (wife, Susan) of Logan, David Michael Ferrell (wife, Susan) of Logan and a host of nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. As a final tribute, dear friends and family will serve as pallbearers: George Wesley Frantz, Seth Wayne White, Tony Murray, David Hicks, Steven Spears, Larry O’Brien and Paul Ferrell. Jim Spears and Larry Robson will serve as honorary pallbearers. Jim will truly be missed but will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him through special memories, his hearty laugh, his broad, bright smile and his amazing generosity. Godspeed! Reverend Tom Chafin and Reverend Kevin Geurink will lead a celebration of Jim’s life to be held on Wednesday, April 10, at Akers-James Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors from 12-1:00 and services will be held at 1:00 at the funeral home. Following, a graveside commitment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.jamesfh.com Akers-James Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.