James E. Saville

James Edward Saville, 98, a resident of Charles Town for 49 years, died Jan. 4, 2008, at Shenandoah Valley Westminster- Canterbury, Winchester, where he had lived since May 2003.

Born Dec. 4, 1909, in Levels (Hampshire County), he was the son of John Thomas and Ethel Grace (Heiskell) Saville.

He received a B.S. degree in agriculture and an M.A. degree in animal nutrition from West Virginia University, with additional graduate work from Cornell University. He was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, honorary agriculture fraternity, and Phi Delta Theta, social fraternity. In 1952, he received the Distinguised Service Award for outstanding service in the field of agriculture.

His 43-year career in both education and agricultural extension work in West Virginia involved positions as principal, Donaldson Elementary School, Hampshire County; science and vocational agriculture teacher, Romney High School; agricultural extension agent, Randolph and Pendleton counties; West Virginia University Extension poultry specialist, Morgantown; and WVU county agricultural agent, Jefferson County, where he retired in 1975 after 27 years.

He was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Charles Town, where he was a former chairman of the Administrative Board; member of the trustees, and of the Methodist Men, Builders Class.

He was a member of the Charles Town Kiwanis Club; charter member of South Jefferson Ruritan Club; Jefferson County Farm Bureau; Director, Jefferson County Fair Association; Past President, 4-H Foundation; W.Va. 4-H All Stars; Life member National County Agents Association; General Adam Stephens Chapter, Sons of American Revolution.

He was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Jefferson County Food Bank.

His wife of 67 years, Louise Pugh Saville, died Aug. 28, 2004.

He is survived by his son and three daughters, James Edward Saville Jr. and Janis of Denton, Texas, Margaret Rose of Fredericksburg, Va., Elizabeth Burns and Larry of Bowie, Md., and Mary Louise de Sarran of Bowie; his grandchildren, Alison Burns Crimaudo, Eric Rose, Nicholas Rose, Nathan Saville and Katherine Saville Sullivan; two great-grandsons, James Crimaudo and Henry Sullivan; and a half-sister, Helen Saville Messick, of Fort Ashby.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ethel Saville Cook of Farmville, Va.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at the Asbury United methodist Church, Charles Town, with the Rev. Richard Kroll officiating. Friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at the church.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Melvin T. Strider Funeral Home, Charles Town. Memorial donations may be made to the Jefferson County 4-H Foundation, c/o Dennis Barron, 1329, Shepherd Grade Road, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.