James “Jim” Emory Galford, 81, of 404 Somerset Place, Rustburg died Sunday, August 24, 2025 at his home. He was the husband of Sheila Lemley Galford for thirty-one years.
He was born July 17, 1944 in Marlinton, West Virginia, a son of the late Jim Arnold Galford and Una Marie Gum Galford. He served as pastor at multiple Methodist churches throughout his life, retired from a long career at Babcock & Wilcox, and was an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as well as the West Virginia University Alumni Association.
Pastor Jim was officially appointed to Mt. Zion UMC on October 15, 2008. Jim’s first appointment was to serve Leesville UMC/West Campbell Charge in June 2003 and continued through June 2006. Jim served as Associate Pastor at Rustburg UMC from July 2007 through June 2009.
Jim grew up on a small farm in Green Bank, WV. Looking to the west, from the home place, the Cheat Mountain hides the slopes of the Snowshoe Ski Resort. The phone cell free valley in central Pocahontas County has several radio telescopes which are operated by the federal government as the National Radio Observatory. Jim graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering (67) and a MS degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (69) (structural design and analysis). After employment with Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (missile propellant design) and Teledyne Materials Research (nuclear power plant piping design), Jim moved to Lynchburg to work for Babcock & Wilcox in November 1972 as a mechanical engineer. Jim retired in July 2004 from AREVA (the evolved company name) after 32 years. Prior to appointment as a Part-time local pastor, Jim participated in United Methodist Lay Speaking and taught classes at CVCC (math, strength of materials, hydraulics).
A five (5) year enrollment in theological, bible study, counseling, and preaching was completed in March 2011 Duke Divinity School. This five-year program provides theological study, pastoral care training, and bible study. This education is a requirement (by Book of Discipline) to appoint a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church.
He is survived by two daughters, Denise Jill Galford-Koeppel and her husband, Brent of Natick, MA and Amy Elaine Galford; and three grandchildren, Bryn Elise Koeppel, Holden Pierce Koeppel, and Emory Clark Koeppel.
A funeral service was conducted on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Finch & Finch Chapel, Altavista by the Rev. Eddie Maynard.
The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider West Virginia University Foundation – Benjamin Statler College of Engineering & Mineral Resources, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507.
(source: https://www.finchandfinchfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-galford-2/#!/Obituary)
