James Ray Pringle

About dawn on Thursday, February 12, 2015, an angel was dispatched from heaven to escort James Ray Pringle,84, of Ripley, formerly of Given to his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior whom he loved and worshiped. Ray, or "Spark Plug" as he was known to his family and friends, was born April 1, 1930, the only child of the late Hoyt and Dixie Harrison Pringle. He graduated from Ripley High School with the class of 1949 and was a member of the 1948 Ripley Viking football team, which was the first team to play in Memorial Stadium. He was also a member of the Vo-Ag class which helped plant trees on the land which is now Cedar Lakes. He was the recipient of the 1949 State FFA degree. He worked several years in construction throughout West Virginia among other states before being hired as a heavy equipment operator for Princess Susan Coal Company and Prichard Mining Company from which he retired in 1995. He was a a member of the Jackson County Landowners Association, was a past president of the Given Cemetery Association, and a member of the United Mine Worker's Association. Ray was a Christian and an active member of the Parchment Valley United Methodist Church until his health prohibited him from attending. Ray was a "people person" who never met a stranger and could communicate with all. He loved his family, his church family, his extended family, and many friends. He spent many hours on his farm at Given, caring for his chickens, his donkey Ben, and his dogs, Rachael and Sparkie. He loved to deer hunt with his neighbor and friend, the late Otis Skidmore. He loved to attend gospel concerts, auctions, estate sales, going on senior citizens bus trips with Sandyville Tours and other groups, as well as going to Cincinnati to watch the Reds play baseball. He loved watching his grandchildren in all their numerous sporting events, horse shows, and beauty pageants. He is survived by wife, Wanda M. Pringle of Ripley; daughters Dixie Fields of Given and Kathy(Bill) Kelly of Sissonville; granddaughters, Amy(Brandon) Landis of Kenna, Amanda(Dr. Benjiman) Dyer of Teays Valley and Hillary Sirbaugh of Kenna; great grandchildren, Adrianna Dalton of Kenna and Addison and Gus Dyer; step-grandchildren, Drew Shamblin, Karla Arthur and family and Annette Bailey and family; he is also survived by several cousins and extended family members. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Hilda Casto Pringle, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Ray will be greatly missed by his beloved family and many friends; however, we know that HEAVEN IS RICHER SINCE ANOTHER JEWEL HAS BEEN ADDED, and we will meet again someday. Funeral services will be Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Parchment Valley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lloyd Keith officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Waybright Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. Burial will follow the funeral service in the Given Cemetery Service: Sunday, February 15, 2015 1:00 p.m. Parchment Valley United Methodist Church Given, West Virginia