James Russell Gillenwater

Another link in our family chain has been broken. James Russell (Jim) Gillenwater, 68, of South Charleston lost his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 in Cabell Huntington Hospital. Jim was born November 3, 1947 to Raymond and Lorraine Gillenwater of Madison. He grew up in Madison and graduated from Scott High School with the Class of 1965.
Jim was employed for greater than forty years by Eastern Associated Coal Corporation and Peabody Coal Company as a Chief Electrician. He had many friends with whom he enjoyed shooting guns, fishing and cars. He was a family man and nothing pleased him more than spending time with his soulmate of 44 years, Phyllis and his grandson, Aiden.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his son, Jamie Gillenwater; sister, Donna Gillenwater; mother-in-law, Freda Price; father-in-law, Buel Price; sister-in-law, Delava Baker; brother-in-law, Jack Price; brother-in-law, Larry Krapf; niece, Kelly Canterbury Golden; and nephew, Bill Hancock.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis (Price); daughter, Angel Gillenwater (Lacy Jones) of South Charleston; grandsons, Aiden Jones of South Charleston, J. R. Gillenwater of North Carolina, Brian Gillenwater of Florida; Logan Charles of Florida; daughter-in-law, Bethany (Joe) Charles of Florida; brother, Ray (Pam) Gillenwater of Madison; sisters, Barbara (Smokey) Miller of Madison, Susie (Gary) Bell of Chapmanville, Kathy (Kevin) Hill of Foster, sister-in- law, Elsie Krapf of Ohio; nephews, Chris (Hope) Miller of Lesage, Ohio, Ryan (Amber) Bell of Chapmanville, Dee (Kelli) Canterbury of Madison, Adam (Heather) Canterbury of Barboursville, Zach Gillenwater of Hamlin; nieces, Julie (Mike) Sizemore of Madison, Kortni (Chase) Gardner of Davidson, N.C., Beth (Bob) Smith, Mary Boggess, Sarah Gillenwater and Katherine Gillenwater all of Madison. He is also survived by many grandnieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Per Jim’s wishes, the custom of cremation will be observed with Handley Funeral Home, Danville managing the arrangements. A private family ceremony will be held to honor his memory.
The family would like to thank all of those that have assisted during this illness, we appreciate all the well wishes, cards, phone calls and the many prayers. Many thanks to the staffs of Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington and Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston for the wonderful care that he received.
You may express your condolences to the family at www.handleyfh.com