James Clayton "Jim" Hamer

Jim C. Hamer (James Clayton Hamer), of Kenova, WV. A beloved family man and successful lumberman went to be with Jesus on March 17, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. He was 73. Jim was born in Kenova on August 16, 1937, the same year as the great flood. He was the only son of James P. and Eunice Hamer. He graduated from Ceredo Kenova High School where he was co-captain of the football team and a trombone player in the band. He married his high school sweetheart, Gladys Frazier. After graduating from forestry school (B.A.) at Syracuse University (SUNY), Jim worked for his father at J.P. Hamer Lumber company until the company was sold to the Jim Walter Corporation in 1973. Jim started his own Hamer lumber business (the Jim C. Hamer Co.) in 1976 with one small sawmill in Salyersville, KY, which grew to five large sawmill operations and two densified wood pellet fuel plants . Jim was not only a successful West Virginia businessman but an innovative and responsible forester. Jim served multiple terms as President and Board Member of the largest hardwood association in the world, the National Hardwood Lumber Association. His was one of the first companies in the Eastern U.S. to convert sawdust to an environmentally positive product, densified fuel pellets. He also received several environmental accolades for his timber harvesting practices, including the NHLA Forest Stewardship Award. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gladys, as well as his three children: Lori, Jim, and Steve, who considered him “our hero and role model”. He is also survived by his six grandchildren. Through his eldest son Jim and his wife Lesley: Andrew, Caroline, and Nathan. Through his youngest son Steve and his wife Donna: Christina, Stephen and Matthew. Jim is also survived by his sister, Sara Stanley of Louisville, KY and his aunt, Leola Frazier, of Huntington, WV. Jim C. Hamer served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher and deacon at First Baptist Church of Kenova for many years. He and Gladys were the first couple to be honored in the Kenova Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Marshall University Business Hall of Fame. He was President of the Appalachia Hardwood Manufacturer’s Association and a leader in the WV Forestry Association. He was a Director of the United Bank and served on the Board of Directors of the WV Chamber of Commerce and the Huntington Chamber of Commerce. Jim was also inducted into The West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. He and Gladys invested in other charities as well, including the City of Hope. He was also an avid sportsman, angler, golfer, and unwavering supporter of Marshall athletics and “boy“ could he dance! Jim loved his family, friends, church, community, state, and most of all, His Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He considered himself blessed in many respects, but to those who knew him, he was the greatest blessing of all. Visitation to begin Sunday at 1:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Kenova Welcome Center. Funeral services to begin at 3 pm. A private burial will follow the funeral at Woodmere Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Hamer Scholarship Fund c/o the First Baptist Church of Kenova, P.O. Box 475 Kenova, WV 25530 or the Good Samaritan Center, 1523 Chestnut St., Kenova, WV 25530. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, WV is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com