James Larry Brewster

James Larry Brewster, age 79, of Tazewell, Virginia, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, March 28, 2025.
Larry, as he was known to all his family and friends, was born on March 28, 1946, at home in Newhall, West Virginia, to the late Carl Brewster and Mary Lee Graham Brewster. After graduating from Big Creek High School in 1964, Larry attended Bluefield Business School for a year. In 1965, he joined the United States Army. He did his basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, then went overseas for the rest of his service. He was stationed in Germany, followed by Vietnam. He served in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He completed his service as an E5-level soldier returning home to West Virginia in August 1971. Shortly after he returned home, Larry started work in the coal mines. He worked for a total of 38 years, mostly with CONSOL. Larry worked at several mines for CONSOL working as a foreman (shift and section); finishing his career as a fire boss. He loved his job, and all the people he worked with throughout his career. Larry was a hard worker and very seldom missed work (or asked for help doing anything). Larry loved baseball, football, and basketball (playing all 3 in high school and coaching his son's baseball little league teams). He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping, spending time with all his family, and going to church. Larry was a member of Fincastle Baptist Church for almost 33 years. He loved the Lord and his church family. As he got older, Larry would say, "I don't know how anyone could go through this world today and not have Jesus in their heart and the assurance of eternity with the Lord."
Larry was also a member of the Tazewell County Country Club and enjoyed playing golf with all of his buddies and senior golfers. Larry loved going on golfing trips when he was younger with fellow golfers to Myrtle Beach, but he enjoyed golf most when he won. Whenever Larry saw a need, he would work on it not wanting any credit whether it was working on the pool at the country club, mowing/weedeating at Cove Creek (church property), or collecting mail for his mother-in-law and his next-door neighbor. Larry's favorite was being with family. He coached little league baseball, went to high school golf matches, coached junior golf in the summer, went to dance recitals, watched his grandkids play volleyball, baseball, soccer, football, attended band performances at football games, and concerts, attended a beauty contest, and attended veteran day performances by his grandchildren. He also loved fishing and dancing with his kids/grandkids. Ask any of them today, and they will be able to tell you about his "sports car", "alligator bite", and the "chupacabra" (the one in his tree). He was their pal, buddy, secret keeper, but most of all his was Poppy to them all. Larry also was one of WVU's biggest football and basketball fans. He loved watching their games either in person or on TV, but he would always say that "watching West Virginia sports was not for the faint of heart", and if they lost, he would say, "I'm going to stop watching these football/basketball games." At home, Larry continued his outdoor lifestyle. He could be seen mowing his grass (twice weekly) starting in February or working on his trees (all year). He also loved talking and playing with the kids in the neighborhood. They would all ride their bikes at his house, play ball, feed treats to his dog, and get treats from "Mr. Larry". He will be missed by all.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Logan and husband, Tom; brother, Vernon and wife, Mary; brother, Allen; and father-in-law, Harold Tisdale.
Larry is survived by his Wife of 32 years: Deborah Tisdale Brewster
Son: Steven Brewster and wife, Tonya of Jonesborough, TN
Daughter: Alana Parrish and husband, Mark of Cornelius, NC
Grandchildren:
Bailee Brewster, Gabrey Brewster, Brackton Parrish, Jovie Brewster, Trey Parrish, Paisley Payne, Dayton Payne, Pax Brewster, and Case Brewster
Great Grandson: Bohdi James Link
Mother-in-law: Juanita Tisdale of Tazewell, Virginia
Sister-in-Law: Debbie Brewster of Tazewell, Virginia
He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and cousins whom he loved with all his heart.
Larry believed that family was love not just blood and was proud to call Angie Hurd and husband, Dan; Josh Hayes; Kayla Vest; Karen and Charlie Hart; Rylee Lallande; Landri Lallande; Baleigh OQuin-Crisp; Blake Collins, Jase Collins, Dave and Leanna Collins; Johnathan Chishlom; Jace Chisholm; and his second son, Mike Compton and all family.
Funeral services for James Larry Brewster will be conducted Friday, April 4, 2025, at 1 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell, Virginia with the Rev. Rick Mallory officiating. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Virginia. Pallbearers will be: Brackton Parrish, Trey Parrish, Jeff Brewster, Carl Brewster, Jim Tisdale, Chris Tisdale, Mike Tisdale, and Dan Hurd. Members of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 will conduct military graveside rites. Members of the Tazewell Masonic Lodge #62 AF & AM will conduct masonic services on Friday. Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm until 1 pm on Friday prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of arrangements, and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com