James R. Fletcher

James R. Fletcher, age 91, passed away on January 6th, 2025, at his home in Damascus, Virginia.

James Fletcher was born in Damascus, Virginia, on November 7, 1933.

He was preceded in death by his father, Spencer Fletcher, mother, Chessie Fletcher, and his beloved wife, Patsie Anderson Fletcher.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Victoria Ann Fletcher. Special nephews include Frank Anderson (Lisa), David Fletcher (Kathy), and Tommy Anderson. A special niece is Jill Williams (Bob). A special cousin is Cliff Cessna. There are several other nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as many special friends that he held dear. His daughter would like to thank Dr. Michael Ulrich for all his help in the care given to her dad; I am especially grateful to Mountain Region Home Health for their care after his release from rehab. Thank you Tonya, Laken, Kim, and all the others that cared for him during this time; Robbie Kemmerlin; Kermit and Blake Turner; Tim Estes and others that helped set up his room at home when he was being released from rehab; Chuck Harter and friends with Lowes that built his ramp for him; those that made visits to see him in rehab or at home when he got released from rehab; the many church family and friends that came to sit with him so I could go to appointments and meetings including Mike Barker, David and Jane Clark, Preston and Ginger Holmes, Daryl and Connie Carty, Billie Maiden, John Dancer, Tim Estes, John Crigger, Robbie Kemmerlin; and all those that have lifted us up in prayers during this time.

James graduated from high school in 1951 in Damascus, Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 from Emory and Henry College in Emory, Virginia. He earned a Master of Arts in 1976 from Radford University in Radford, Virginia.

James became a teacher of Social Studies and Physical Education as well as Varsity Basketball and Baseball coach for Bethel High School. In 1959, he became a teacher of U.S. History and Physical Education as well as 8th grade football and basketball coach for 6 years at Abingdon High School in Abingdon, Virginia. After serving on the faculty for twenty years, he became Assistant Principal for fifteen years. From 1956 until his retirement in 1991, James served the Washington County School System for thirty-five years.

James had a special love for the fire service and joined the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department on July 29, 1954. He followed in his father’s footsteps who was a charter and life member who served thirty years in the department. James was the first firefighter who served fifty years and who became an honorary and life member of the DVFD. He was also given honorary membership of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department for all his years of teaching fire science classes and doing training for the firefighters. He spent many years teaching Fire Science to firefighters at Virginia Highlands Community College. He was an adjunct instructor for the state of Virginia for decades. His knowledge of fire was unmatched. His daughter tried to get him to write a book to record all that knowledge, but he would just laugh and say he couldn’t write a book. But now we have lost that valuable knowledge he had. Hopefully all his students will continue the fire service work he loved so much.

James was a member of the First Baptist Church in Damascus, Virginia. He served as Sunday School teacher, Music Minister, Deacon (he is Emeritus now), and on the Constitution and By-Laws Committee which he enjoyed so much.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Damascus and Abingdon Volunteer Fire Departments.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to one of your charities. He had 6 charities that meant a lot to him so you could donate there as well if they are more to your liking. They are: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105; Cornerstone Christian Academy, PO Box 2228, Abingdon, VA 24212; Judicial Watch, 425 Third St. SW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20024; Tunnel to Towers, 2361 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, NY 10306; Leadership Institute, 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201; American Cornerstone Institute, 50 F St. NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20001. You can also donate to First Baptist Church, PO Box 993, Damascus, VA where he served for so many years or to the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department or Abingdon Fire Department in honor of his fire service.

We hope you can join us at his celebration of life to honor this humble, kind, and loving man. It will be held at Abingdon High School auditorium on Sunday, January 26, 2025. Visitation will be from 6-7pm and the service will be from 7-8pm. Please be respectful of the visitation time. There will be a basket at the front to leave cards of condolences or memories for Vicki to have. Online condolences can be made on the Frost Funeral Home website.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mr. James R. Fletcher.