Jon Kristen "Kris" Woodrum

Jon Kristen Woodrum, 42, died Thursday, December 22, 2016, and the world is a sadder place without his love and his music. Born May 25, 1974 in Elkins, Kris grew up with the joys of riding free-style bikes, hiking the hills and splashing the streams of Randolph County. After graduation from Elkins High School in 1992, he attended AB College on scholarship with the music group The West Virginians and then Marshall University before finding his fit at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. While earning a fine arts degree, Kris won local, regional and national recognition as an outstanding classical guitarist. After graduation, he lived and worked there in Charleston playing music of all genres, for dignitaries, in small venues, and for sold out concerts. He traveled extensively, always with his guitar, throughout Europe, South America and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He followed the gypsies in Southern France and Spain and learned to dive and sail in St. Thomas. Sometimes living rough, sometimes in plush accomodations, Kris loved every adventure. Led into the trap of drugs by depression and severe back pain, Kris struggled to free himself, going through several programs and fighting on his own – to no avail – but he never lost his love for family and friends. And he loved his music. Kris was preceded in death by his grandparents, special uncles Frank "Butch" Beckett and Michael Land and a dear cousin Drew Land. His beloved father James Edward "Jim" Woodrum died in 1989, when Kris was only 14. He is survived by his companion Tonya Auvil and her children Logan and Eli, his mother Bonnie Woodrum all of Elkins; his sister Wendy Bayers and husband Greg of Louisville, KY; his brother James Isaac Woodrum and wife Kristen of Atlanta, GA; nieces Vivian and Olivia Woodrum and Anna Scanzillo, nephews Joel and Micah Robinson and Patrick Bayers, and by kindred soul, Aunt Evelyn Woodrum in Charleston, WV. Aunts, uncles and cousins from Huntington, WV, Ohio, New York and Michigan were always in his heart and very special to him as well as friends everywhere and his tiny dog Roxy. Kris was a kind soul who was always ready to help others and ready to try new things, who cherished his past and looked forward to a better future. He was a Christian and believed God would lead him through to that future – and He has. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Saturday December 31st at Lohr and Barb Funeral Home, 120 First Street, Elkins, WV. Services will begin at noon. Interment will follow at the Maplewood Cemetery. Afterward, friends and family are invited to gather for fellowship at the family home at 215 Elm Street, Elkins, WV. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor the memory of their friend may donate to the clinic fund of the Friends of Ft. Liberte Haitian ministry, P.O. Box 905, Elkins, WV 26241 or by clicking the donate button at haitifriends.com.