Obituary of James D. Burnell

James Dayton Burnell peacefully passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport, WV, with the love of his life—his wife of 56 years, Mary “Dede” Amos Burnell—by his side. Born in Clarksburg on August 5, 1942, to the late Floyd E. and Waveline Paula Childers Burnell, James graduated from Washington Irving High School in 1960. He took a job at Clarksburg’s “PPG Number 12” glass factory in 1963, saving enough to enroll at Fairmont State College (now University). In 1969, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and married Dede. The couple relocated to southern West Virginia and Ohio for career opportunities before returning to Fairmont. In 1971, James earned an MBA from West Virginia University. During the 1970s, he worked in accounting, auditing, and management at Fairmont Clinic (now MVA Health) and Doctor’s Clinic in Union City, TN. In 1979, he joined Allegheny Energy, and by 1985, he was promoted to manager of marketing, sales, research, and disposal of coal ash. James served as treasurer of the American Coal Ash Association from 2001 to 2003 and was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership before retiring in 2014 after 25 years of service. James treasured his family and devoted his life to creating a lasting legacy for them. He was passionate about nature photography and enjoyed gardening, exploring the outdoors, researching genealogy at cemeteries and historic sites, traveling to beautiful destinations, “dad jokes”, and maintaining a fitness regimen—exercising three days a week for 35 years at Fairmont’s Nautilus Connection. From 1990 to 1995, he volunteered as a manager for the Marion County Girls Basketball Association, serving two terms as President. He was also a regular attendee at St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown, WV. James was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Paul E. Burnell, and his sister Shirley Melloy. He is survived by his beloved wife Dede, his children Terri L. Burnell of Nashua, NH and James D. Burnell of Arlington, VA, his sister Naomi Burkhammer of Bridgeport, WV, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. The Burnell family extends its heartfelt thanks to the memory care staff at Harmony at White Oaks where he resided, the caregivers at United Transitional Care Center during his final days, and neighbors Dave and Laura Joseph and members of St. Thomas à Becket, who helped keep vigil to ensure he was never alone. Arrangements have been entrusted to Fairmont’s Ford Funeral Home, and memories and words of comfort may be shared at https://www.fordfuneralhomes.com. A visitation will be held at St. Thomas à Becket Episcopal Church in Morgantown, WV on Saturday, April 12 beginning at 9:30 am, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 am presided over by Father Michael Delk. A private graveside committal will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://donorservices.alz.org.