James “Jim” Emory Galford, 81, of Rustburg, Virginia, died Sunday, August 24, 2025, at his home.
Born July 17, 1944, in Marlinton, he was a son of the late Jim Arnold Galford and Una Marie Gum Galford.
Jim served as pastor at multiple Methodist churches throughout his life, retired from a long career at Babcock and Wilcox, and was an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as well as the West Virginia University Alumni Association.
Pastor Jim’s first appointment was to serve the Leesville UMC/West Campbell Charge in June 2003 and continued through June 2006, and he served as Associate Pastor at Rustburg UMC from July 2007 through June 2009. He was officially appointed to Mt. Zion UMC October 15, 2008.
Jim grew up on a small farm in Green Bank. Looking west from the home place, Cheat Mountain hides the slopes of Snowshoe Ski Resort.
Jim graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering (67) and a MS degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (69) (structural design and analysis). After employment with Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (missile propellant design) and Teledyne Materials Research (nuclear power plant piping design), he moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, in November 1972 to work for Babcock and Wilcox as a mechanical engineer. Jim retired in July 2004 from AREVA (the evolved company name) after 32 years. Prior to appointment as a part-time local pastor, he participated in United Methodist Lay Speaking and taught classes at CVCC (math, strength of materials, hydraulics).
A five year enrollment in theological, bible study, counseling and preaching was completed in March 2011 from Duke Divinity School. This five-year program provides theological study, pastoral care training, and bible study. This education is a requirement (by Book of Discipline) to appoint a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church.
He was married to Sheila Lemley Galford for 31 years.
He is survived by two daughters, Denise Jill Galford-Koeppel, and husband, Brent, of Natick, Massachusetts, and Amy Elaine Galford; and three grand- children, Bryn Elise Koeppel, Holden Pierce Koeppel and Emory Clark Koeppel.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 28, 2025, 11 a.m., at Finch and Finch Chapel in Altavista, Virginia, with the Rev. Eddie Maynard officiating.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until time of service
Burial will be Friday, August 29, 2025, in Riverview Cemetery in Strasburg, Virginia, with the Rev. Steve Bird officiating.
Memorials may be made to West Virginia University Foundation – Benjamin Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507.
Online condolences may be shared at finchandfinchfuneralservice.com
