John Howard Basham

John Howard Basham, 88, of Daleville, stepped into the presence of his Savior during the afternoon of January 23, 2009 at Lewis-Gale Medical Center. He was born and raised in Oak Hill, W.Va. and was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and the mother of his children. Howard served in the United States Navy during World War II. His working career was with the Appalachian Power Company, serving in their offices in Charleston, W.Va., Pulaski, Christiansburg and Roanoke, retiring with 48 years of service in 1988. He was a personal accountant for a host of private businesses during his lifetime. He served as worship leader for the First Church of God in Oak Hill, Charleston and Christiansburg and Treasurer and Chairman of the Covenant Community Church of Salem. He was one of the last living Participates of the Church of God's National Basketball Championships held in the late 1930's in Anderson, Ind., while playing for the Charleston Main Street Church team. Howard is survived by his loving wife, Audra Marie Basham. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Joan Bratton and husband, Bob; his son, John Jr. and wife, Connie, all of Charleston, W.Va.; his stepchildren, Patricia Nicewander and husband, Alan of Monterey, Calif., John C. Pfeil and wife, Susie, Timothy Pfeil and wife, Jessie, all of Charleston, W.Va., Brenda David and husband, Alan, of Milwaukee, Wis. and Diane Lockard and Jim Howarth, currently of Brunswick, Ga.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren to carry on his memory and his brother, Hank Basham, of Panama City, Fla. Visitation to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel, Wednesday, January 28, 2009, with Worship to honor his memory at 7 p.m., conducted by brothers Charles Briscoe and Bob West. Interment will be private at the Barker Family Cemetery in Ashford, W.Va. on Thursday. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.