OKEY JAMES NAPIER Jr.

1967 - 2018

KEY JAMES NAPIER JR., 51, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2018, at his residence. He was born January 10, 1967, at Huntington, W.Va., a son of Okey James Napier and Dwana Sue Duncan of Wayne, W.Va. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Mosie and Betty Napier; and his maternal grandparents, Walter and June Edmunds. He was a 1985 graduate of Wayne High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Basic Humanities and a Master's degree in Sociology from Marshall University. He was currently enrolled in the Master's of Fine Arts program in Creative Writing at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va. Okey was a faculty member at Marshall University, Mountwest Community and Technical College and Ohio University Southern Campus, where he taught sociology. He previously worked for the Red Cross in Huntington and Delaware and had worked for the Huntington Housing Commission, Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter and the Marshall University Psychology Department. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, Samuel M. Napier and wife Terri Lynn and their son Okey Samual, and Daniel Lee Napier and wife Crystal and their daughters Natasha and Nerissa, all of Wayne; his aunts, Brenda S. Napier, Joyce Stevenson and husband Darrel; an uncle, John Duncan and wife Sandi; along with numerous cousins as well as many colleagues and friends all over the world. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 29, 2018, held at B'Nai Sholom Temple in Huntington with Rabbi Jean Eglinton presiding. There will be a reception following in the social hall for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Okey J. Napier Jr. Diversity and Inclusion MFA Scholarship, Advancement Office, West Virginia Wesleyan College, 59 College Avenue, Buckhannon, WV. Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.