Jeffrey A. "Jeff" BYRNE

Jeffrey "Jeff" A. Byrne Age 42 of Philippi, WV unexpectedly died on Saturday, February 14, 2004 at Broaddus Hospital in Philippi. Born May 7, 1962 to Maryann M. (Simcock) Byrne of Wilmington, DE and Robert Allen Byrne of Philippi, WV, Mr. Byrne attended Barbour County schools and was a graduate of Notre Dame High School. He attended Marshall University before returning to Philippi in 1984 to join the family business. As an employee of Barbour Publishing Company, Inc., he did composition, bookkeeping and photography. He also served as sports editor and business manager for The Barbour Democrat. He was active in various community service organizations. He was a member of the Philippi Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as secretary and captain. In 1993, he was appointed by the Barbour County Commission to serve on the Barbour County Parks and Recreation Commission. He served as president of Philippi Youth Soccer for 2 years. He also served as a coach and was active at the county level. He was vice-president of the Philippi Little League and served on the board of directors. He was also a minor league coach, served as past president and coach of the Barbour County Babe Ruth League, was a certified WVSSAC basketball official and was a ski instructor at Canaan Valley. Mr. Byrne was elected for 2 terms to the Barbour County Board of Education, where he served as vice-president and was the board's representative to the Barbour County Extension Service committee. He was a member of the board of directors for RESA VIII and served as chairman of the West Virginia School Board Association's public relations committee. He also served on the WVSBA legislative committee. The Byrne family received the Apollo Award by Alderson-Broaddus College in 2000. Jeff was formerly married to Lisa Heinbaugh of Philippi, WV. Also surviving is son, Chase Aaron Byrne; and daughter, Paige Suzanne Byrne, both of Philippi, WV; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles Allen and Lady Mandaine Byrne, and Leonard and Theresa Simcock. Family and friends were received February 19 and the funeral service was held February 20 at the WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME in Philippi, WV, with Rev. Dr. Dan Unger and Robert "Buck" True officiating. Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery in Elkins, WV.