| James Owen Phares, age 65, passed away at home Friday, February 9, 2007. He was the son of the late Charlie James Phares and Delphia Alice Frame Phares of Cedarville.
James is survived by his wife of more than 41 years, Sharon Kay Dobbins Phares; his children, Shana Kay Phares and husband Chris Higgins of Charleston, Kris Owen Phares Snyder and husband Jim, Julian Charlie Phares and wife Lea Ann, and Jason Marple Phares and wife Heather all of Glenville; and his grandchildren, Clare Phares Higgins, Logan Eli Phares, Seamus Phares Higgins, Kaylene Marie Snyder, Rachel Elizabeth Phares and Daisy Alice Snyder.
James is also survived by his siblings, Monnie Marie Phares Simpson and husband Bill of Clackamas, Oregon, David Charles Phares and wife Barbra of Glenville, Sharon Faye Phares Brannon and husband Kenny of Cedarville, Sheba Lorraine Phares Kendig and husband David of Burnsville and Stephen Layne Phares and wife Barbara of Palestine, and sister-in-law Sharon Daugherty Phares of Linn and brother-in-law Clarence Williamson, Jr. of Glenville.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Shena Raye Phares Williamson and a brother, Larry Lee Phares.
James was born on October 11, 1941 at home on Wilson's Ridge on the Braxton-Clay County border. He attended Widen Schools where he was always an honor student and played varsity basketball as a freshman at Widen High School.
His family came to Gilmer County in 1957 with the opening of the R&P coal mine. James graduated from Glenville High School where he played football his senior year. He served in the Army Reserves for 6 years and worked at Tastee Bakery in Akron, Ohio. He played independent baseball and was scouted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. James was an alumnus of Glenville State College and attained Masters Degrees from both West Virginia University and Marshall University.
James was a professional educator for 38 years in Lewis and Gilmer County Schools serving in the capacities of teacher, head start director, basketball coach and principal at Troy Elementary and Glenville Elementary. He served on several state educational assessment teams and was a presenter at the National Association of Elementary Principals in Washington, DC.
James retired in 2003 to play golf, garden and teach grandchildren. He and his brother, David won the Glenville Golf Club 2004 League Tournament. James was a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenville.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Baptist Church of Glenville at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2007, with Pastor Kenny Fisher officiating. The family will receive guests after the service. Ellyson Mortuary of Glenville will be assisting the family with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Burnsville Hospice, Rt. 1, Box 43C, Burnsville, WV 26335, in memory of James.
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